A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) aligned with the party’s former presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has dissolved the National Working Committee (NWC) led by David Mark.
The faction subsequently constituted a new NWC to manage the affairs of the party.
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The development was announced at the faction’s national convention held in Abuja on Sunday and attended by delegates from across the country.
Abdulkadir Bashir was announced as its national chairman, while Johnny Derek emerged as deputy national chairman.
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Kennedy Odion was named national secretary, Joe Aro as national treasurer, Chris Ugwu as national publicity secretary, and Elias as national organising secretary.
Others are Patrick Ambut as national chief whip and Adamu Sahad as deputy national chairman (Ethics). Kingsley Oggah was also appointed chairman of the faction’s Board of Trustees.
The ADC, which some opposition figures joined to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 elections, is currently split into three distinct factions competing for control of its structure.
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Apart from the David Mark-led faction, considered the most prominent, there are the Nafiu Bala faction and the Mr Kachikwu-backed group, each claiming to be the authentic leadership of the party.
The rival factions have separately approached the courts over the party’s authentic leadership structure.
In April, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suspended the recognition of the leadership of all factions of the party following a ruling by the Court of Appeal and ongoing litigation over its leadership.
The commission said its decision was based on a directive of the Court of Appeal ordering the warring factions to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, on 30 April, INEC updated the official register of political parties to recognise the David Mark faction. Former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola is the faction’s national secretary.
The new NWC
At the convention, the ADC chairman in Delta State, Austin Okolie, moved a motion for the adoption of the new NWC members.
The motion was seconded by the ADC chairman in Jigawa State, Kabiru Hussaini, before it was put to a voice vote and overwhelmingly supported by delegates.
The new NWC members were immediately sworn in.
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In his acceptance speech, Mr Bashir, the new national chairman, accused the David Mark leadership of being biased and selfishly motivated.
He urged party members to support the new leadership and promised to carry everyone along in decision-making.
Sole presidential candidate
The faction also announced Mr Kachikwu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Chairman of the Electoral Committee on Presidential Primaries, Elias Adikwu, announced the decision shortly after the swearing-in of the new NWC members.
Mr Adikwu, who is the ADC chairman in Benue State, said Mr Kachikwu emerged as the faction’s consensus presidential candidate.
Mr Kachikwu was the ADC presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
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