Olayiwola Matthew
A fresh crisis is currently brewing among the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as another faction has emerged within the party, declaring its independence from existing rival camps and intensifying the internal power struggle.
The new group, which surfaced on Tuesday in Abuja, announced its dissociation from both the Senator David Mark-led coalition and the faction loyal to Nafiu Bala.
Led by Don Norman Obinna, the group claimed it represents the legitimate National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, insisting that it is made up of duly elected officials.
Addressing journalists, Obinna said the tenure of former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, had expired in August 2022, accusing him of clinging to power beyond his mandate and plunging the party into legal disputes.
According to the group, Nwosu’s decision to hand over the party structure to the David Mark-led coalition was “illegal” and has no standing within the ADC.
“The tenure of Ralph Nwosu ended in August 2022, and since then he has faced a series of litigations due to his refusal to step down,” Obinna said. “The purported handover of the party to the coalition led by Senator David Mark is an illegal act and cannot stand.”
The faction further declared that neither the Mark-led coalition nor Nafiu Bala has the authority to speak for the party, rejecting their claims to leadership.
It specifically dismissed Bala’s position, stating that he was never the National Vice Chairman of the ADC, contrary to claims by his camp.
“The David Mark coalition are not members of ADC and cannot represent the party in any capacity,” the group stated, adding that it would not recognise any decisions taken by either faction.
In a move likely to deepen the crisis, the Obinna-led faction reaffirmed that the party’s former presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, remains a bonafide member of the ADC despite the ongoing disputes.
The group also announced the appointment of new officials to oversee the party’s affairs pending the conduct of a national convention, which it said would restore order and legitimacy to the party’s leadership structure.
The latest development adds another layer to the protracted crisis that has engulfed the ADC following the controversial exit of Ralph Nwosu and the emergence of multiple claimants to the party’s leadership.
The initial turmoil had already drawn national attention, with prominent political figures weighing in on the dispute.
