INEC Derecognises Mark, Aregbesola; Parties Revolt

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape by formally derecognising the leadership factions associated with former Senate President David Mark and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola. In a memo released on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the commission stated that the decision followed a comprehensive review of the internal conventions and leadership selections of the affected political groups, which were found to be in violation of the Electoral Act 2022.

According to INEC, the leadership structures presented by the Mark and Aregbesola factions failed to meet the mandatory requirements for inclusive and transparent elective congresses. The commission clarified that it would only recognise the "statutory executives" verified during its last monitoring exercise, effectively stripping the two political heavyweights of their administrative control over party machineries ahead of the upcoming primary season.

The decision has sparked an immediate revolt within the political parties. Supporters of David Mark described the move as a "calculated attempt to silence institutional voices," while the Aregbesola camp characterised the derecognition as "politically motivated sabotage" aimed at destabilising their grassroots base. Legal teams for both factions have already indicated plans to file urgent suits at the Federal High Court to challenge the commission’s directive. Political analysts suggest that this development could lead to a series of protracted legal battles that may disrupt the timelines for party primaries and the selection of candidates for future elections.