A fresh crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the emergence of a new faction that has distanced itself from both the Senator David Mark-led coalition and the group associated with Nafiu Bala.
The group, led by Don Norman Obinna, claims to be the duly elected members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Obinna said the tenure of former national chairman Ralph Nwosu ended in August 2022, adding that Nwosu had since faced multiple litigations for allegedly failing to vacate office.
He described the reported handover of the party structure to the Mark-led opposition coalition as “illegal”, insisting that those involved lack the authority to act on behalf of the ADC.
The faction announced that it has dissociated itself from both the Mark coalition and Bala’s group, maintaining that neither represents the authentic leadership of the party. It further claimed that Bala never held the position of national vice chairman as widely suggested.
The group also stated that members of the Mark-led coalition are not registered members of the ADC and therefore cannot legitimately speak for the party.
In addition, the faction reaffirmed that Dumebi Kachikwu remains a member of the party.
According to Obinna, a new set of officials has been appointed to manage the affairs of the party on an interim basis pending the conduct of a national convention.
The latest development deepens the leadership crisis within the ADC, as multiple factions continue to lay claim to the party’s structure and legitimacy.
