Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for removing the name of former Senate President, Senator David Mark, as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from its official portal.
In a statement, Atiku described INEC’s action as unjustified and a misinterpretation of a Court of Appeal order directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a leadership dispute at the Federal High Court.
“Atiku maintained that INEC had no justification for removing the names of Mark-led ADC executives from its website, describing the move as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic progress and a sign of creeping authoritarianism,” reports indicate.
The removal occurred on April 1, 2026, following INEC’s interpretation of the appellate court’s interim ruling in a suit involving factions within the ADC. The commission also delisted other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), including National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and stated it would no longer recognise any faction or accept correspondences from the Mark-led leadership until the substantive suit is resolved.
Atiku argued that INEC acted outside its legal bounds by taking steps to alter the recognised leadership position that existed before the matter was instituted in court. He accused the electoral body of bias and overreach, warning that such actions undermine internal party democracy and the broader democratic process in Nigeria.
The Mark-led ADC has since approached the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025) seeking an order to compel INEC to restore the names of its leaders to the commission’s records.
Leaders of the ADC coalition, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and others, recently held a press conference and protest actions to highlight what they described as partisanship by INEC.
Atiku reiterated that the electoral umpire ought not to interfere in ongoing internal party matters beyond what the law and court orders strictly permit. He called on INEC to remain neutral and uphold the principles of fairness in its regulatory role.
The former Vice President emphasised that Nigeria’s democracy requires strong, independent institutions that respect the rule of law rather than actions that create unnecessary vacuums in political parties.
Stakeholders across the opposition have expressed concern over the development, viewing it as a potential setback for efforts to build a formidable alternative political platform ahead of future elections.
Atiku urged all democratic forces to remain vigilant in defending the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system and party politics.