The Cross River State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the party’s interim caretaker committee, saying it is against its constitution.
The State Vice Chairman (Central), MacFarlane Ejah, stated this at a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday.
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Mr Ejah said the development threatened internal democracy and could undermine the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
He alleged that a 29 July 2025 meeting in Abuja purportedly dissolved the elected National Executive and introduced an interim caretaker committee.
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According to him, the committee allegedly included David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and others in various leadership positions of the party.
Mr Ejah argued that the “party’s 2018 Constitution does not recognise interim or caretaker leadership arrangements at any level.”
He said party officers must emerge through duly conducted congresses, as stipulated in Articles 17 and 18 of the party’s constitution.
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The ADC chieftain added that the Electoral Act 2026 also mandates political parties to operate through democratically elected structures.
Mr Ejah warned that allowing the alleged leadership to conduct congresses could invalidate candidates for the 2027 elections, describing such a scenario as a “legal stillbirth” that could cost the party its electoral fortunes.
He said that the state chapter of the party had petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene in the matter.
“The petition seeks to stop the leadership from parading itself and halt planned congresses scheduled from 7 April to April 14.
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“We want INEC to ensure strict compliance with the party’s constitution and electoral laws; we have given them a seven-day ultimatum to act on the petition,” he said.
Mr Ejah said failure to act would leave the party with no option but to approach the court for redress.
He reaffirmed the state chapter’s commitment to the party but insisted on a return to constitutional order, stressing that internal democracy remained a constitutional requirement, and not an option.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that, following the resignation of its former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, in July 2025, the party constituted an interim leadership team to rebrand for the 2027 general elections.
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