The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored the names of the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark on its official portal, following a ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria which set aside an earlier directive of the Court of Appeal.

The development comes after INEC had, on April 1, removed the names of the ADC national leadership from its portal in compliance with an order of the Court of Appeal which directed all parties in the dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The electoral body had explained at the time that the decision was necessary to avoid taking any action that could prejudice the ongoing case, particularly as rival factions within the party, including one led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, were laying claim to the party’s national structure. INEC had also declined to recognise any faction and suspended further engagements with the party pending the outcome of the legal battle.

However, in a fresh twist, the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel led by Mohammed Lawal Garba held that the Court of Appeal acted outside its jurisdiction by issuing the status quo order after it had already dismissed the matter before it. The apex court described the directive as “unnecessary, unwarranted, and improper,” and consequently set it aside.

The judgment followed an appeal filed by David Mark, which was upheld in part by the Supreme Court, effectively nullifying the basis upon which INEC had earlier delisted the party’s leadership from its portal.

Following the apex court’s decision, INEC has now updated its records to reflect the David Mark-led National Working Committee, including the listing of former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary of the party.

Despite the restoration, the leadership crisis within the ADC remains unresolved, as the Supreme Court directed all parties involved to return to the Federal High Court for the continuation of proceedings to determine the substantive issues in the case.