ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens as State Chairmen Form Caretaker Committee
The leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated on Tuesday as a bloc of 25 state chairmen announced the formation of a National Caretaker Committee to seize control of the party.
The move follows the recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the David Mark-led leadership from its official records, citing a court order to maintain the status quo.
Key Developments in the Crisis:
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New Leadership Claim: Backed by 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, the state chairmen appointed Kingsley Ogga (Kogi Chairman) as the new Acting National Chairman and Don Norman Obinna (Abia Chairman) as Publicity Secretary.
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Constitutional Argument: The Ogga faction argues that since the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu expired in 2022 and the Mark-led coalition was delisted by INEC, the National Executive Committee (NEC) remains the only legal authority to manage party affairs.
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Three-Way Factionalization: The party is now split into three competing blocs:
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The David Mark-led coalition (supported by the NWC).
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The Nafiu Gombe-led group (claiming the deputy should succeed the former chair).
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The Kingsley Ogga-led caretaker committee (backed by state chairmen and Kachikwu).
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Allegations and Rebuttals:
The David Mark leadership, through Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed the new committee as a tool of the ruling APC intended to destabilize the opposition. Abdullahi labeled the state chairmen "disgruntled" and insisted that the party would proceed with scheduled congresses this Friday.
Conversely, the Ogga faction maintains that Mark and his associates are ineligible for leadership under the party’s constitution, which requires two years of membership before contesting elective positions.
The Root of the Conflict:
The crisis traces back to August 2022, following disputes over the expiration of Ralph Nwosu’s tenure. Since then, multiple legal battles and a failed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process have left the party’s leadership in a state of flux, casting doubt on its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.