ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens as Mark Faction Seeks Alliance with PRP Amid Legal Battles

ABUJA – The leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensified yesterday as the faction led by Senator David Mark held high-level talks with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). The move comes as the group explores alternative political platforms amidst mounting opposition and a looming judicial verdict regarding its legitimacy.

Strategic Alliances and "Opposition Unity"

The ADC delegation, which included factional spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi and Salihu Lukman, met with PRP National Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed in Abuja. This meeting follows a similar consultation held 48 hours prior with the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While official details of the meeting were withheld, sources suggest the Mark faction is responding to a recent call by the PRP leadership for opposition figures to form a "united front" ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

High Court to Decide Factional Legitimacy 

The political manoeuvring coincides with a critical legal showdown. A Federal High Court in Abuja is set to rule Monday on whether the Mark-led National Executive Committee (NEC) is legally constituted.

The suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025), filed by Leke Abejide, the ADC’s sole member of the House of Representatives, challenges the transfer of power from former chairman Ralph Nwosu to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola. Abejide contends the handover violated Article 19 (14) of the ADC’s 2022 Constitution and the Electoral Act, seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the duo from parading themselves as party leaders.

Legal Arguments:

• The Plaintiff: Argues that the interim leadership was installed without proper authorization from a valid NEC or National Convention. Furthermore, counsel Ibrahim Idris (SAN) claimed the party failed to register constitutional alterations with INEC within the mandatory 30-day window.

• The Defence: ADC counsel Shaibu Aruwa (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that leadership disputes are "internal affairs" over which the court lacks jurisdiction.

INEC Derecognition and Internal Fractures 

The crisis has already seen significant administrative fallout. Following an April 1st Appellate Court order to maintain the status quo ante bellum, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal.

Simultaneously, a second claimant to the leadership, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, has filed a separate suit scheduled for hearing Tuesday. Gombe, speaking to the BBC Hausa Service, dismissed the Mark faction as "non-members" who failed to follow due process. He further signalled a shift in the party's direction, stating that under his leadership, the ADC would not field candidates over the age of 55.

NBA Issues Stern Warning to Judiciary and Bar 

Amidst the flurry of "forum shopping" and conflicting court applications, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has intervened with a scathing statement. NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) warned that lawyers and judges must stop undermining democracy by meddling in internal party affairs, citing Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026.

"The NBA will not shy away from drawing the NJC’s attention to any judicial officer found to have acted in a manner inconsistent with the judicial oath," Osigwe stated, threatening disciplinary action against legal practitioners who "weaponize" the legal process for partisan objectives.

State-Level Chaos

The national crisis has paralyzed state-level operations:

• Sokoto: Conflicting reports emerged this week, with the state secretary announcing a suspension of congresses due to INEC directives, while other members claimed ward congresses were successfully concluded.

• Edo: A split between factions loyal to Senator Roland Owie and former National Leader Chief John Odigie-Oyegun resulted in parallel leadership claims, with Owie accusing Oyegun of "playing games" with the party structure.

With a National Convention tentatively scheduled by the Mark faction for Tuesday—despite INEC's derecognition and a lack of visible preparation—the next 48 hours of judicial rulings will likely determine the survival of the ADC’s current interim leadership.