The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified as a bloc of state chairmen announced a takeover of the party and unveiled a new caretaker committee.
The group, said to represent 25 states and backed by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, claimed it had assumed control following the removal of key party leaders, including David Mark, from records by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At a press conference in Abuja, the Abia State Chairman, Don Obinna, said the group—acting as the party’s National Executive Committee—endorsed Mark’s removal and appointed Kingsley Ogga, Kogi State chairman, as the new leader of a caretaker committee.
Other appointments include Odion Kennedy as acting secretary and Mohammad Jidda as deputy chairman, alongside several state chairmen assigned national roles within the interim structure.
However, the Mark-led faction has rejected the move, alleging that the group is being backed by elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilize the party. The party’s publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also accused external forces of fueling internal divisions.
The crisis follows INEC’s April 1 decision to remove certain ADC leaders from its records, citing a court directive to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of ongoing legal disputes.
The ADC has been embroiled in leadership battles since 2025, stemming from disagreements over succession after former chairman Ralph Nwosu stepped down. Competing claims to leadership—particularly involving Nafiu Bala—have led to multiple court cases and deepened factional divides.
With the party now split into rival camps, concerns are growing over its ability to effectively participate in the 2027 general elections.
