The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate sack of Joash Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after the de-recognition of the party’s leadership.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, April 2, the National chairman of the party, David Mark, said the electoral body can no longer be trusted, describing its actions as unlawful.

INEC had on Wednesday announced its decision to delist key ADC figures, including National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and others.In a statement released by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna,INEC stated that the decision was in compliance with a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case by the trial court.

Reacting to the body’s decision, Mark at the press conference said

’Right now, I speak to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. I also speak directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: with 90% of the National Assembly and over 30 of Nigeria’s 36 governors in the APC, President Tinubu, what are you afraid of? If you are convinced that you have done well for the people who voted for you, why are you afraid of a free, fair, and transparent electoral contest? If you are indeed the democrat that you claim to be, why are you bent on destroying all opposition political parties?

It is important to state the net implications of this decision taken by INEC, in case they had not thought of it, or they just do not care: First, by attempting to subvert the leadership of the ADC, INEC has already undermined our participation in the Osun and Ekiti elections taking place later this year.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will henceforth cease to recognize either the David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor the faction led by Rafiu Bala. According to the electoral body, this decision came following the Court of Appeal judgment on March 12 this year.

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Kudu and released today April 1, the electoral umpire said it will also not monitor any meetings, congresses, or conventions of the two groups until the matter at the Federal High Court is decided.

The commission further announced that it would remove the names of David Mark from the INEC portal.

Rafiu Bala, who was the vice chairman of the ADC before the David Mark-led caretaker committee assumed control of the party, approached the courts to challenge the emergence of David Mark and his colleagues at the National Working Committee.

The opposition coalition had, in 2025, adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a political platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

This was followed by the former national chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, formally handing over the party’s membership card to former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who assumed the roles of interim national chairman and national secretary, respectively.

The resignation of the Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC in July 2025 gave rise to the David Mark-led NWC.

However, Nafiu Bala Gombe, the Vice-National Chairman, claimed that following the chairman’s resignation, he automatically ought to take over as chairman.

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 38-year-old man, Hamisu Abdullahi, for allegedly shouting “no water, no light” during Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s visit to the Emir of Suleja following the Eid-el-Fitr prayers last Friday.

The police spokesperson in the state, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, said the suspect was arrested for attempting to disrupt government activities during the governor’s Sallah visit.

“One Hamisu Abdullahi, 38, of Suleja, was arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, on March 20, 2026, for suspected thuggery and attempting to disrupt government activities during the Sallah visit,” he said.

“However, he was later granted bail while investigation continues.”

The suspect’s brother, Haruna Abdullahi, confirmed that he was released on bail on Tuesday evening after spending five days in detention.

Hamisu, an electrician and father of four who resides in Unguwan Bayi, Suleja, was reportedly arrested after shouting the phrase at the emir’s palace during the governor’s visit.