A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the list of candidates submitted by African Democratic Congress (ADC) Chairman Senator David Mark for the February 21, 2026, FCT Area Councils election. Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the 17 ADC candidates have credible evidence, entitling them to the reliefs sought.
The candidates, including Jafaru Shaibu, Ayenajeyi Yakubu, and Dauda Awode, emerged from primaries after initial candidates withdrew. They stated that ADC’s main primaries were held, and names were uploaded by August 11, 2025. However, INEC rejected the substitution notification due to unrecognized signatures of Chairman Senator David Mark and Secretary Rauf Aregbesola.
“INEC is directed to recognize and publish the plaintiffs as ADC candidates from the party’s substitution primaries,” Justice Umar ordered. The commission must provide electronic access for uploading their details under Sections 29(1), 31, 33, and 84(1)(5)(6) of the 2022 Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
The candidates alleged INEC was “hell-bent” on blocking their participation, despite attempts to upload Forms EC9 and EC13.
