A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has announced plans to convene a national convention and establish an interim leadership to manage the party’s affairs amid an ongoing leadership crisis.
The announcement came on Tuesday in Abuja during a media briefing by the faction’s spokesperson, Norman Obinna, following an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting attended by state chairmen and other NEC members.
Obinna explained that nearly two years after a prior Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) agreement, the ADC has yet to hold a national convention to elect a new leadership. He accused the former national leadership under Ralph Nwosu of attempting to unlawfully transfer party control to non-members while sidelining existing state chairmen.
“He attempted to illegally transfer leadership of the party to people who were not members of the ADC. He put measures in place to remove all the state chairmen simply because they did not fit the mould of leadership representing elite interests,” Obinna said.
The faction disclosed that it has filed two court cases challenging these actions, even before the recent position taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Citing the absence of a National Working Committee since August 2022, the group maintained that the NEC remains the highest legitimate authority in the party.
Among the resolutions, the faction formally disassociated from a rival coalition led by prominent figures, including David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi, declaring that actions taken by this group in the name of the ADC are not binding.
The faction also rejected claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe to any leadership position, asserting he has never served as deputy national chairman. It reaffirmed Kachikwu’s status as a “committed and bona fide member” and stressed that the ADC is a platform for all Nigerians, not controlled by elite interests.
The group sent a notice to diplomatic missions in Nigeria, urging them not to recognize the rival coalition as representatives of the ADC. It also appointed an interim leadership to oversee the party’s daily administration pending the election of a new National Working Committee at the proposed convention.
Obinna called on INEC to recognize the interim leadership, warning that failure to do so could lead to the party’s collapse. This development follows a September 2025 Federal High Court suit by Gombe challenging the legality of the NWC led by Mark and Aregbesola, alleging he should have assumed leadership after Nwosu resigned and claiming the resignation letter was forged.
On April 1, INEC removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal, citing a court order to maintain the status quo. The faction accused INEC of undermining the party’s ability to field candidates for the 2027 elections. The ADC, adopted as a coalition party in July 2025, is planning to challenge Bola Tinubu in 2027, with potential candidates including Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
What you should know
A faction of the ADC led by Dumebi Kachikwu is moving to reassert control amid a prolonged leadership crisis.
The group has rejected a rival coalition, appointed an interim leadership, and called on INEC to recognize its authority.
Legal disputes and court rulings have heightened tensions as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
