BREAKING: Leadership War Explodes as INEC Delists ADC Faction Ahead of 2027 Elections

Nigeria’s opposition bloc, formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, has suffered a significant setback as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed key leadership names from its official registry a move that temporarily freezes the party’s operational status ahead of critical primaries.

INEC announced it will no longer recognise the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by former Senate President David Mark and former Minister Rauf Aregbesola, striking their names from its portal and suspending official engagement with any party conventions or congresses until a Federal High Court ruling resolves a deepening leadership dispute.

This development directly undermines the ambitions of prominent political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party standard-bearer Peter Obi, and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi who have been positioning the ADC as a united opposition front against the ruling party.

INEC said the move follows a Court of Appeal order to maintain the status quo in the pending dispute over the party’s legitimate leadership.

The commission emphasised impartiality and warned that it will not monitor any ADC events or accept communications from splinter groups until the legal battle concludes.

Political analysts say the crisis exposes cracks within Nigeria’s opposition ahead of the next general election, raising concerns about the bloc’s ability to present a cohesive alternative to the incumbent government.