ADC Leadership Crisis Deepens as Factions Clash Over 2027 Ambitions

ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is embroiled in a widening leadership struggle, as rival factions trade allegations of illegitimacy and forgery in a battle that threatens the party’s stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The dispute centres on a high-stakes disagreement over the interpretation of a Court of Appeal directive and the legitimate succession of the party's national chairmanship. 

Allegations of External Sabotage

Party chieftain and prominent legal practitioner Kenneth Okonkwo has raised alarms over what he describes as a "deliberate plot" to destabilize the party. Okonkwo alleges that external forces are attempting to "truncate" the ADC’s progress to prevent it from mounting a credible challenge in 2027.

Okonkwo defended the current leadership, arguing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already formally recognized the executive led by former Senate President David Mark.

"Once INEC recognizes you, you cannot use an interlocutory injunction to stop an action already executed," Okonkwo stated.

He further contended that the Court of Appeal’s order to maintain the status quo reinforces the current leadership, as they were the recognized authority at the time of the ruling. He dismissed the opposing faction's legal manoeuvre as "propaganda" and urged them to allow the judicial process to run its course without pressuring INEC. 

Counter-Claims of "Unlawful Takeover"

In a sharp rebuttal, the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Bashir Abdul-Mohammed, characterized the current leadership as "usurpers" and described the crisis as a self-inflicted wound caused by an unlawful seizure of power.

The Abdul-Mohammed faction maintains that under the ADC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, is the rightful acting leader following the resignation of the previous chairman.

Key points of their argument include:

• Interpretation of Status Quo: Abdul-Mohammed argues that status quo ante bellum requires the party to return to the state of affairs existing before the dispute began, which would place Bala in charge.

• Allegations Against INEC: The faction accused INEC of "flagrantly and blatantly" disobeying court orders and warned of potential contempt proceedings if the commission does not update its records.

• Forgery Claims: Abdul-Mohammed categorically dismissed a resignation letter attributed to Nafiu Bala as a forgery, stating, "This is not his signature," and noting that the document is currently a subject of litigation.

The Path to 2027

While the Okonkwo-led group warns of APC interference and external pressure, the Abdul-Mohammed camp insists their challenge is purely a matter of upholding the rule of law and the party’s internal constitution.

As both sides dig in, the ADC’s ability to present a united front for the 2027 cycle remains in jeopardy. The resolution now rests with the courts and INEC’s final determination on which faction holds the legal mandate to lead.