The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has formally aligned with David Mark’s claim to the national chairmanship of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a senior lawyer in the ongoing court battle has revealed.
Counsel to the former Senate President, Realwan Okpanachi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen outside the Federal High Court, Abuja, after proceedings were adjourned for judgment.
According to Okpanachi, INEC’s counter-affidavit, filed as the fifth defendant in the suit, supports Mark’s faction and confirms that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025 validly elected Mark as National Chairman and Ra’uf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
He stated that INEC officials attended the meeting and produced an official report, tendered before the court as Exhibit INEC No. 1, which lists both men in those positions.
The lawyer dismissed the plaintiff’s case as speculative and based on gossip, noting that the claim that the leadership change occurred on July 2, 2025 is unsupported by any documentary evidence. He maintained that the defence has submitted documents showing that INEC was duly notified of the July 29 meeting, attended it, and issued a report.
Okpanachi also challenged the plaintiff’s locus standi, arguing that as a mere party member and not an official, the plaintiff lacks the legal standing to institute the suit. He cited Supreme Court precedents that bar individuals from taking internal party matters to court.
He further invoked Section 83(6)(b) of the Electoral Act, urging the court to award a minimum cost of ₦10 million against the plaintiff as a deterrent against what he described as a frivolous action.
On jurisdiction, the defence maintained that the Federal High Court lacks the authority to adjudicate what it described as an internal leadership dispute within the party.
After parties adopted their processes and preliminary objections, the court reserved judgment for a date to be communicated, expected as early as next week.
Okpanachi expressed confidence in the outcome, stating that justice will prevail.
The ADC has been locked in a prolonged leadership crisis, with rival factions contesting control of the party ahead of future elections. Proceedings continue at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
