The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognised the new leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.

The updated list, uploaded on the Commission’s website on Wednesday, names Mark as National Chairman, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Mani Ibrahim Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Prof. Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.

This recognition comes after weeks of pushback following INEC’s earlier refusal to acknowledge the new coalition leadership of the ADC.

In July 2025, an opposition coalition of prominent politicians adopted the ADC as its platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

At the Abuja event, the coalition announced David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as interim chairman and secretary respectively.

Among the key figures present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, as well as former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, alongside other political heavyweights.