The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to officially recognise the interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and fresh details have emerged explaining why.
Findings show that former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, in a letter dated July 29, 2025, addressed to INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, conveyed resolutions from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held the same day. According to the letter, the NEC resolved to “empower NEC to exercise the powers and perform all the functions of the National Convention pending the next National Convention.”
At that meeting, the NEC restructured the party’s leadership and duly informed INEC. The correspondence reportedly contained a list of 44 newly appointed national officers, including Senator David Mark as National Chairman, Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, and Dr Mani Ibrahim as National Treasurer.
However, INEC’s official website still lists Ralph Nwosu, Alhaji Sai’d Baba Abdullahi, and Mr Cavin Alagoa as National Chairman, National Secretary, and National Treasurer, respectively. It also names Mrs Ifeyinwa Ntima as National Financial Secretary.
A senior INEC source, speaking to Saturday Tribune on condition of anonymity, confirmed receipt of the letter signed by Nwosu and Abdullahi, the immediate past National Chairman and Secretary. The source clarified that the delay in recognising the David Mark-led team was due to procedural shortcomings.
“The letter only listed 44 names of new national officers without their signatures. It is proper that we have in our custody specimens of their signatures. That’s when we would act on their letter,” the source explained.
When asked if the leadership dispute within the ADC was influencing INEC’s stance, the source dismissed the speculation.
“No, we have nothing against the process. In fact, we were present and monitored the process where those resolutions were taken,” the source added.
