Gombe-led ADC asks INEC to immediately remove Mark’s NWC from portal, warns Atiku

The faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, under the leadership of Bala Gombe, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to promptly remove the National Working Committee, NWC, led by David Mark from its official portal. 

Gombe pointed out that a court ruling required the electoral commission to withdraw its recognition of the NWC headed by David Mark and declare all decisions, resolutions, and actions made by that committee as null and void.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Gombe stressed that INEC should only publish and recognize what he termed the legitimate National Working Committee of the party, in line with the court’s ruling.

The faction also warned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against positioning himself as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the forthcoming 2027 general election.

In his statement, he said, “The rightful leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, formally requests the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately remove the names of Senator David Mark and his NWC members from the Commission’s portal.

“INEC is also urged to upload and recognize exclusively the authentic members of the National Working Committee of the ADC, in strict compliance with the court’s ruling. This ruling directed INEC to withdraw recognition from the David Mark-led NWC and further invalidated all decisions, resolutions, and actions taken by that Committee.

“Moreover, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress formally and unequivocally warns Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to immediately refrain from presenting himself as the ADC’s Presidential Candidate. We reiterate our earlier position that His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is neither the current nor has he ever been the Presidential Candidate of the ADC for the 2027 General Elections.

“We call upon Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to promptly cease using the Party’s name, logo, and emblem to spread falsehoods and misinformation regarding the African Democratic Congress.

“Additionally, we provide him with a 7-day ultimatum to publicly apologize to the members and stakeholders of the ADC for making unauthorized statements on behalf of the Party. Should he fail to comply with this demand within the specified timeframe, we will pursue appropriate legal action.

“Furthermore, we wish to bring to the attention of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, the actions of Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

“We urge the pertinent security agencies to ensure his immediate arrest and prosecution for the dissemination of false information that could mislead the public and incite public unrest, thereby jeopardizing the relative peace we currently enjoy.”