The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The decision of the electoral body to publish the name of Mark and Aregbesola-led NWC on its portal followed the judgement of the Supreme court which restored the Mark-led NWC.

Recall that in April, the commission, citing the order of the Court of Appeal, deleted the names of Mark-led NWC on its website.

The electoral body said it would not receive any further communication or deal with any of the parties or groups pertaining the affairs of the party and would not monitor any meeting, Congress or Convention convened on behalf ADC by any group until the matter is decided by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The commission stressed that its decision was to ensure it does not act in any way capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) has formally assumed control of the party’s national leadership following the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated its recent convention, with BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara declaring the move a constitutional necessity.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Wabara said the BoT stepped in “with the utmost sense of duty and responsibility” to prevent a leadership vacuum after the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He noted that the intervention was backed by the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“This constitutional intervention of the BoT is so as not to allow any leadership vacuum at the national level of our party,” he said.

Wabara explained that the apex court invalidated the PDP’s November 2025 national convention in Ibadan, which produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC).

He added that the court also upheld the suspension of key officials, including Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, and Kamaldeen Ajibade.

According to him, the implication of the judgment is far-reaching. “All actions taken by Senator Samuel Anyanwu… including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman… are illegal, null and ab initio void,” he stated.

He said the nullification of both the Turaki-led and Abdulrahman Mohammed-led structures effectively leaves the BoT as the highest functioning organ of the party.

“The statutory onus of leadership… now rests on the shoulders of the Board of Trustees,” Wabara added, citing the PDP constitution.

The BoT chairman announced that the body has “immediately assumed responsibility of the national working leadership of the PDP” as a remedial step to stabilize the party and promote reconciliation.

He further disclosed that an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting would be convened to appoint an interim National Working Committee to run the party’s affairs and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wabara also directed all PDP staff to resume work at the party’s national secretariat under the BoT’s leadership pending the appointment of the interim leadership.

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He commended party stakeholders, including governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, as well as other organs of the party, for their resilience during the crisis.

Calling for unity, Wabara urged members to set aside personal interests and work together. “The PDP has suffered enough… The time has come for us to make sacrifices, sheathe our swords and embrace genuine reconciliation,” he said, warning that the crisis has ultimately affected Nigerians who look to the party for leadership.

The Supreme Court has vacated the order that directed the the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of its leadership crisis.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal acted beyond its jurisdiction by unilaterally issuing such an order after it had already dismissed a case that was brought before it by one of the factions.

“Giving such an order in an appeal it had already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” the Supreme Court held.

It held that the appeal that was filed before it by Senator David Mark succeeded in part, even as it dismissed the aspect that challenged an ex parte order the Federal High Court made for service of processes in the suit filed by aggrieved members of the party.

The apex court directed the factions to return to the trial court for continuation of hearing of the case.

It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal and website as ADC National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, on April 1, citing the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

The electoral body said it would, in line with the order for maintenance of the status quo ante bellum, not recognise any of the warring factions until the legal dispute is determined.