Leadership Crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a deepening leadership crisis as state chairmen of the party have announced plans to assume control of its leadership. This decision comes in response to a recent move by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) as the authority of the party.
Temitope Ogga, the Chairman of the state chairmen of ADC and Kogi State Chairman of the party, explained the necessity of this action during an interview with Saturday PUNCH. He stated that the decision was made to prevent a leadership vacuum and ensure the party’s structure remains intact ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ogga emphasized that the National Executive Committee (NEC), which includes the state chairmen, would meet on Tuesday to select a Caretaker Committee to manage the party’s affairs until legal issues are resolved. This step is crucial to maintaining stability and ensuring the party can function effectively.
INEC’s Role and Legal Implications
On Wednesday, INEC removed the names of the NWC led by Mark from its official portal, following a Court of Appeal order. The commission stated it would maintain the status quo ante bellum while the substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja is being determined.
The court’s judgment, delivered on March 12, 2026, directed all parties to maintain the existing situation before the dispute arose and avoid actions that could prejudice the case outcome. However, the Mark-led NWC rejected INEC’s decision, accusing the commission of bias and calling for its dissolution.
They also vowed to proceed with preparations for the proposed National Convention scheduled for April 14 in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Ogga, however, questioned the legitimacy of any parallel convention being planned by the embattled national leadership, arguing that such a gathering would be invalid without INEC’s participation.
State Chairmen Taking Control
Ogga revealed that the state chairmen plan to formally notify INEC of their decision to take over the party leadership through a Caretaker Committee. He stressed that after the NWC, the NEC is the next highest decision-making organ of the party. As the NEC comprises the NWC and all the state chairmen, he argued that the state chairmen are now the rightful leaders of the party.
According to Ogga, the NEC meeting on Tuesday will select members of the Caretaker Committee, which will pilot the party’s affairs until the court makes a final ruling. He emphasized that the committee will act in an interim capacity and that the names of its members will be submitted to INEC after the meeting.
Protecting the Party’s Future
Ogga warned that failure to act swiftly could weaken the ADC’s base, noting that internal instability could cost the party its growing support ahead of the next general election. He said the state chairmen are acting in the interest of the party rather than individuals, and they will abide by the final outcome of the court process.
“If the court reinstates them today, we are ready to take them back and work with them. We are fighting for the party, not individuals,” he said.
He also dismissed the influence of prominent party figures, insisting that electoral success will ultimately depend on the party’s platform rather than individual personalities. “Nigerians are not voting for individuals; they are voting for the party. We will remain, and we believe Nigerians will vote for us because they are clamouring for change,” he added.
Conflict with INEC
Meanwhile, the embattled NWC has criticized INEC’s interpretation of the Court of Appeal order, describing it as a misrepresentation of the directive to maintain the status quo. In a statement, the party accused INEC of overstepping its constitutional mandate.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, cautioned the Mark-led faction against proceeding with its planned congresses without official recognition. He emphasized that all party activities must comply with existing court directives and warned that any actions taken outside due process would not be recognized by the Commission.
However, the party maintained that its internal activities, including congresses and its national convention, remain lawful and protected. It insisted that no court order has barred it from proceeding with its scheduled programmes.
