More problems for the ADC when a third faction emerges, appointing a new chairman

Troubles plaguing the African Democratic Party (ADC) escalated on Tuesday when another faction emerged claiming responsibility for the party’s leadership.

The group of 25 state chairmen said they had taken over the party amid non-recognition of David Mark’s leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The chairmen stated that they constituted the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ADC, and assumed leadership of the party even as they appointed the Kogi State Chairman, Kingsley Ogga, as the new chairman.

Led by Abia State Chairman, Don Obinna, the group at a press conference in Abuja explained that the NEC had supported the removal of Mark as chairman of the party.

Previously, 2023 ADC Presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, had also disowned Mark’s leadership of the party, and announced plans to hold a national convention. According to him, the NEC held a meeting and announced an interim committee to steer the affairs of the party amidst the ongoing leadership crisis.

On April 1, INEC announced the removal of key ADC figures, including Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, from its official records.

The commission explained that this action was in line with the court’s order to maintain the status quo pending a final decision on the lawsuit.

The party has been caught in a protracted leadership crisis since 2025, following the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark in July.

The crisis stems from a dispute over former chairman Ralph Nwosu’s term of office, which ends in August 2022. Although Nwosu is said to support a 2025 transition, his deputy, Nafiu Gombe, stated that he should step in as acting chairman after Nwosu leaves.

New developments have now split the party into three factions: the David Mark-led coalition bloc, the Nafiu Gombe-led group, and the Kachikwu-backed NEC-backed group under the leadership of Kingsley Ogga, with each faction claiming legitimacy and leadership in the party.

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Speaking on Tuesday, Obinna stated that, “ADC has no factions; we are the legitimate leadership. Ralph Nwosu’s term as ADC chairman ends in August 2022.

“Nwosu’s refusal to step down as chairman led to a series of litigation, with Judge Nyako ruling in December 2022 that Nwosu’s term had indeed expired and that any action taken by him and his NWC after the end of the term was null and void.

“One of the illegal acts Nwosu committed was holding a mini-convention in Zaria in October 2022, where he reinstated himself and the likes of Nafiu Gombe as the NWC of the party, but INEC categorically rejected this convention.

“The matter was then taken to the Supreme Court when the group now known and referred to as the David Mark led coalition transacted with Ralph Nwosu. Prior to this unholy transaction, INEC received several communications from the party’s NEC since August 2022, but strangely refused to act even on lawful court orders.”

He continued, ”Nwosu announced the suspension and in some cases the removal of state chairmen from the party who opposed his efforts to continue as party chair. INEC eventually initiated an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to resolve issues within the ADC.

“The main result of the ADR signed by both parties is that the ADC will soon hold a convention to produce new leadership.

“This has not been done for almost two years, but instead is trying to illegally transfer party leadership to people who are not members of the ADC.

“The leadership led by David Mark implemented measures to remove all state party chairmen for the simple reason that they did not fit the mold of a chairperson who could represent the elite.

“We have filed two court cases challenging the illegality of their actions prior to INEC’s recent position. In the absence of a National Working Committee since August 2022, the NEC, as the constitutional, legitimate and existing organ of the party, remains the only authority speaking on behalf of the ADC.”

Obinna discussed the commission’s decision to remove the David Mark-led leadership, stating that “Ignorance is not only a disease, it is also a crime.”

He continued, “We watch with amusement how some Nigerians who have no real understanding of issues relating to our party, ADC, throw temper tantrums without reason or understanding.

“Therefore, we would like to correct a lot of misinformation that exists in the public domain. But before doing this, we would like to say that we fully support INEC’s position on this matter and commend their courage in doing what is right.”

He added, that “ADC has no factions. The people sitting here today were elected, and they are the state chairmen. The body of state chairmen is the only recognized body, and their terms are still running. This is not a faction. INEC has nothing to say about the NEC. In a vacuum, the party’s NEC takes over pending a new convention”.