Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has voiced strong opposition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s decision to remove David Mark from his position as the chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Melaye asserted that the electoral body has applied a flawed interpretation of the law in its action.
During an appearance on Channels Television's The Morning Brief program, Melaye, a prominent figure within the ADC, accused INEC of intentionally obstructing the party's internal organisational procedures. He stated, "It’s explicit, it’s clear but for them to give it a ‘Jankara’ interpretation and to suit their own purpose, knowing fully well that registration is ongoing, congresses are ongoing and you want to leave us without a leader so that we would not we able to conduct all our congresses and even run primaries for us to produce people who will contest the election."
Melaye further declared the party's resolve to challenge INEC's decision through legal avenues. "They are joking; this country belongs to us. We will pursue it legally and also use all rights within the framework of law," he stated, confirming that the ADC has already initiated legal proceedings and plans to intensify its efforts.
He added a strong warning regarding potential criminal charges against INEC officials. "And as I speak to you, we are even going to criminalise the activities of the officials of INEC because what they have done is criminal and we are going to face it from a criminal perspective in court because it’s complete disobedience of the court order," Melaye elaborated.
Melaye also levelled accusations of bias against the commission, claiming it has favoured one side in the ongoing dispute. "INEC as an institution has failed Nigerians and taken sides with a letter written by a man who is no longer a part of the party, who voluntarily resigned on May 17," he alleged.
He emphasized that the Nigerian government belongs to all citizens, not just those currently in power. "The country belongs to all of us, the government is not owned by those in government, it’s owned by the people, and we will prove that the people own the government and Nigeria belongs to all of us, and that ADC will participate in this election and defeat Tinubu come May 29," Melaye declared.
Earlier, INEC had communicated its intention to cease acknowledging communications from any faction of the ADC, following a review of a Court of Appeal ruling dated March 12. In a statement released by Mohammed Kudu, the commission's chairman for Information and Voter Education, INEC announced it would halt engagement with the factions led by David Mark and Rafiu Bala, as well as suspend monitoring of their activities until the matter is adjudicated by the Federal High Court.
The commission also indicated that Mark's name would be removed from its official online registry. The current leadership dispute within the ADC originated when Bala, previously the party's vice chairman, contested the emergence of Mark and other members of the National Working Committee in court.
This crisis ensued after the resignation of the Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee in July 2025. Following Nwosu's departure, David Mark was appointed interim national chairman, with former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola named national secretary.
However, Bala has argued that he should have automatically assumed the chairmanship upon Nwosu's resignation, leading to the ongoing legal contention over the party's leadership.
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