Sports
2027 polls :INEC sacks David Mark led-ADC Exco and Nafiu Bala Gombe from leadership of party pending court’s ruling
By George Mgbeleke
Ahead of 2027 election the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resolved to maintain the status quo in the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in compliance with the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026: Senator David Mark v. Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe & Ors.
In a statement by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, this decision decision was taken, after a careful review of the Court of Appeal’s judgment delivered on 12th March 2026 and the ongoing case before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this in a statement issued on 1st April 2026.
According to the statement, the Commission had earlier received separate letters dated 16th March 2026 from two law firms representing different interests in the party. Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., writing on behalf of concerned stakeholders within the ADC, cautioned the Commission against recognising Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe as Acting National Chairman while the matter remains before the Federal High Court. On the other hand, Summit Law Chambers, acting for Hon. Gombe, urged the Commission to enforce the Court of Appeal’s judgment by ceasing recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party, removing their names from INEC’s portal and refraining from dealing with them.
The statement further noted that in another letter dated 27th March 2026, Summit Law Chambers alleged that INEC had disobeyed the Court of Appeal’s orders by inviting Senator David Mark’s group to a political parties’ meeting and by monitoring a purported National Executive Committee meeting convened by the group.
It recalled that in its judgment, the Court of Appeal dismissed the interlocutory appeal filed by Senator David Mark and directed that the parties must maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court. The court also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case in view of the Electoral Timetable and warned parties against taking any steps that could prejudice the matter before the trial court.
The Commission observed that the current National Working Committee of the ADC emerged from a National Executive Council meeting held on 29th July 2025 following the resignation of the previous executive committee led by Mr. Ralph Okey Nwosu. Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, who was Vice National Chairman, maintains that he did not resign and that by virtue of the party’s constitution, he should assume leadership following the resignation of the Chairman. He subsequently filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 on 2nd September 2025, seeking orders to restrain Senator David Mark’s group from parading themselves as party leaders and to compel INEC to recognise him as Acting National Chairman.
INEC also noted that the names of the current National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark were uploaded to its portal on 9th September 2025 following a request received on 4th September 2025.
After considering the judgment and all relevant processes, the Commission resolved to maintain the situation as it existed before 2nd September 2025, when the suit was filed. It also resolved to refrain from taking any action that could undermine the proceedings before the Federal High Court. The Commission declined the request to allow Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the affairs of the party pending the court’s decision.
Furthermore, the statement said the Commission will not receive further communication from, or deal with, any of the contending groups on matters relating to the party’s affairs and will not monitor any meeting, congress or convention convened by any faction of the ADC until the case is determined by the Federal High Court. In line with the directive to maintain the status quo, the Commission will remove from its portal the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to neutrality, impartiality and strict compliance with court orders, and urged political parties and stakeholders to act responsibly so as not to disrupt preparations for the 2027 General Election.
Sports
Gov Diri Expresses Confidence On Bayelsa United Interim Board. …Say Bayelsa Is Ready to Host 2028 National Sports Festival
By David Owei
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri says he is confident that the newly-constituted interim board of Bayelsa United will deliver on its assignment.
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, last week Thursday during the weekly Prosperity Walk, announced an interim board comprising experienced sports administrators and headed by Dr. Peter Singabele, to oversee the affairs of the club for the next six months.
Governor Diri gave the assurance at the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
He noted that with the calibre of personalities on the board, he was confident that the board would deliver on the assignment, pointing out that the board is filled with experienced personalities with proven track records.
According to the state helmsman, he was impressed with the board’s vigour to immediately embark on the appointment of a new technical adviser for the team, urging them not to rest on their oars until they achieved their objectives.
He asserted that the government would not interfere with the selection of players that the selection of players would be decided by the coaches and not by the board so that the coaches can be held culpable when they fall short of the set target.
”I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Bayelsa United Interim Board that we have put together headed by Dr Peter Singabele, I am aware that they have hit the ground running with the process of appointing a new coach for the team. I want to charge them to run with speed to ensure that new coaches are recruited with players sorted out” Gov Diri stated.
”Players must be sorted out by the coaches, no interference by the board, no interference by the government, no one should interfere with the coaches, let the coaches bring out the best of players so that if anything goes wrong we will hold them responsible”, he maintained.
The governor hinted that his administration remains committed to hosting the National Sports Festival in Bayelsa in 2028, maintaining that his administration is poised to complete the ongoing construction work of the 30,000-seater stadium in Igbogene, 5,000-seater stadium in Sampou in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area and other facilities in the State.
He assured Bayelsans that the stadium would be completed at the stipulated time to host the National Sports Festival, stressing that sports remain one of his administration’s goal to positively engage the youths.
Sports
Bayelsa State Government Sets Up Interim Board For Bayelsa United
By David Owei
Bayelsa State Government has set-up a five-man interim committee to oversee the affairs of Bayelsa United FC for the next six months.
Governor Douye Diri, two weeks ago, during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, dissolved the board of Bayelsa United after the relegation of the team at the end of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.
The appointment of the board was announced by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Dr Akpe noted that the immediate task of the interim committee is to bring Bayelsa United back to the NPFL in the next six months, stating that Bayelsa United cannot afford to remain in the lower division for a long time.
According to him, the committee comprises an experienced football administrator, Dr. Peter Singabele; former Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi; Director General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe; Godson Ekarde while Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu will serve as Secretary.
”The task is to bring Bayelsa United out of relegation back into the Premiership level which is the right position for the club. Dr Peter Singabele, Braveman Wodi, Godson Ekarde, Ono Akpe and Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu have six months to return the team to the top division.” Akpe said.
The Deputy Governor equally appealed for all stakeholders in the state to join hands with the interim board and give every necessary support to ensure the dream of returning the Bayelsa State Government-owned team is realised.
Sports
Bayelsa State Government Sets Up Interim Board For Bayelsa United
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Government has set-up a five-man interim committee to oversee the affairs of Bayelsa United FC for the next six months.
Governor Douye Diri, two weeks ago, during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, dissolved the board of Bayelsa United after the relegation of the team at the end of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.
The appointment of the board was announced by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Dr Akpe noted that the immediate task of the interim committee is to bring Bayelsa United back to the NPFL in the next six months, stating that Bayelsa United cannot afford to remain in the lower division for a long time.
According to him, the committee comprises an experienced football administrator, Dr. Peter Singabele; former Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi; Director General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe; Godson Ekarde while Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu will serve as Secretary.
”The task is to bring Bayelsa United out of relegation back into the Premiership level which is the right position for the club. Dr Peter Singabele, Braveman Wodi, Godson Ekarde, Ono Akpe and Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu have six months to return the team to the top division.” Akpe said.
The Deputy Governor equally appealed for all stakeholders in the state to join hands with the interim board and give every necessary support to ensure the dream of returning the Bayelsa State Government-owned team is realised.
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