ADC Crisis Deepens as INEC, State Chairmen Reject New Leadership

A new leadership crisis has erupted in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as INEC has declined to recognise the party’s newly constituted caretaker committee.

Meanwhile, state chairmen have rejected the David Mark-led interim leadership, describing it as an illegitimate attempt to hijack the party through unconstitutional means.

Despite the National Executive Committee’s (NEC) endorsement of the leadership change, INEC continues to recognize the old national executive.

Notably, the electoral body has not uploaded the names of David Mark and his interim team to its official portal.

INEC Still Recognises Nwosu-Led Leadership

According to INEC’s website, Ralph Okey Nwosu remains listed as the party’s National Chairman, alongside other executives like Said Baba Abdullahi (Secretary), Cavin Alagoa (Treasurer), Ifeyimwa Ntima (Financial Secretary), and Ujunwa L. Onwuasoeze (Legal Adviser).

The party headquarters is still listed as “No. 1 Capital Plaza, Nyanyan-Kuru Road, Abuja”, with the contact number unchanged.

This remains the case despite the ADC’s July 2025 announcement of a new interim leadership team, following Nwosu’s resignation.

Caretaker Committee Appointed

The party had named former Senate President David Mark as Chairman of the caretaker committee, with former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, and Bolaji Abdullahi as Interim National Publicity Secretary.

During its 99th NEC meeting witnessed by INEC officials two key motions were adopted. One motion, moved by South-West Vice Chairman Idowu Rasaq, reinstated previously suspended members (excluding Ibe Kachikwu).

The second, by National Organising Secretary Suleiman Ibrahim, dissolved the existing National Working Committee and established the new caretaker leadership under David Mark.

Chairmen Reject David Mark-Led Coalition

However, in a swift reaction, state chairmen of ADC condemned the caretaker committee. In a statement titled “Rejecting the Political Junta by Defending ADC and Nigeria’s Democracy Against Subversion,” signed by Forum Leader Elias Adokwu and Publicity Secretary Godwin Alaku, the chairmen accused the coalition of staging a political coup.

They described the move as an “orchestrated power grab” and a “reckless subversion” of democratic norms.

According to them, the coalition is driven by selfish ambition and political inducements rather than party interest.

“The ADC is not for sale, not for hijack, and certainly not a dumping ground for discredited power brokers,” they asserted.

They further urged INEC to resist pressure to legitimise what they called an “illegitimate junta,” and called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the attempted takeover.

Okorie Supports INEC’s Stance

Meanwhile, Dr. Chekwas Okorie, founding chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), backed INEC’s decision to retain Ralph Okey Nwosu as ADC National Chairman.

He clarified that while Nwosu and the new leaders had entered a memorandum of understanding, it had not been formalised through a national convention.

Okorie denied claims that INEC was under external influence, blaming the confusion on procedural oversight.

“On paper, Nwosu remained chairman. INEC, either through negligence or ignorance, continued to work with him,” he said.

He added that Nwosu, who founded ADC in 2005, has served as chairman for over 20 years without legal interruption or court pronouncements terminating his leadership.

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