THE ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has worsened, with internal disputes and legal challenges disrupting planned state congresses across the country.
The party remains divided into multiple factions, including groups aligned with David Mark and Nafiu Gombe. The situation escalated further after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition from the Mark-led National Working Committee.
As a result, several states have suspended their congresses, while others remain determined to proceed despite the uncertainty.
Yesterday, a faction led by Gombe staged a protest at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, demanding official recognition.
The group accused the Mark-led leadership of attempting to unlawfully take control of the party, insisting that due process must be followed.
In response, INEC officials acknowledged the protest and assured the group that their concerns would be reviewed.
The demonstration came just a day after a rival faction loyal to Mark held its own protest under the #OccupyINEC banner, accusing the electoral body of undermining the party’s internal structure.
The crisis has led to court interventions and suspensions of party activities in multiple states.
In Adamawa, a High Court in Yola halted the planned congresses pending the outcome of a legal dispute.
Similarly, party chapters in Anambra, Ondo, Niger, and Oyo have postponed their congresses, citing the need to respect legal processes and INEC directives.
Other states, including Kaduna and Osun, are experiencing internal disagreements, with rival factions issuing conflicting directives about whether the congresses should proceed.
Despite the uncertainty, some states have chosen to move forward. In Plateau and Jigawa, party officials insist the congresses will hold as planned, maintaining that they have complied with legal requirements.
Meanwhile, in Edo, although some members conducted local congresses, the state chairman dismissed the exercise as invalid, warning that it would not be recognised by INEC.
In Kogi, party leaders have urged members to ignore any claims of suspension, insisting that only the party’s national leadership has the authority to halt such processes.
Legal Battle Intensifies
The crisis has also moved to the courts, with the Mark-led faction seeking an order from the Federal High Court to compel INEC to restore its leadership status.
The suit challenges INEC’s decision to remove the names of key party officials from its records, arguing that it misinterpreted a prior Court of Appeal ruling that directed parties to maintain the status quo.
The faction is also pushing for an expedited hearing, warning that the prolonged leadership uncertainty could destabilise the party further and disrupt its preparations for future elections.
Despite the deepening divisions, party officials maintain that the ADC will participate in the 2027 general elections, even as the internal crisis continues to unfold.
