The African Democratic Congress has dismissed reports alleging a change in its leadership involving former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and ex-national chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
The party was reacting to an online publication which claimed that Mark had stepped aside as national chairman to pave the way for Nwosu to assume control ahead of the party’s national convention.
The report also suggested that the move was linked to internal disagreements and growing pressure following recent actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission concerning the party’s leadership structure.
However, the ADC refuted the claim, insisting that no such development had occurred within its ranks.
In a statement posted on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the report as false and urged the public to disregard it.
“Please note that reports circulating about a change in the leadership of the ADC are fake news. Kindly disregard, flag, and report such content on any social media platform where you encounter it,” he stated.
The clarification comes shortly after INEC removed the names of the party’s National Working Committee led by Mark from its official portal.
The electoral commission had explained that its decision was based on a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, which directed parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
INEC stated that the appellate court instructed all parties to avoid actions capable of affecting the outcome of the case and to preserve the structure existing before the leadership crisis.
The development is part of a protracted leadership tussle within the ADC, with factions loyal to Nafiu Gombe and David Mark both laying claim to the party’s national leadership.
Despite INEC’s position, the Mark-led National Working Committee has rejected the commission’s interpretation of the court ruling, calling for its dissolution and maintaining that it would proceed with preparations for its national convention.
The party has fixed April 14 for its convention in Abuja, even as the leadership crisis remains unresolved.
