Another ADC Faction Emerges, Dissociates Party From Nafiu Bala & David Mark

A group of African Democratic Congress (ADC) state chairmen has declared itself the authentic National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party and formally broken ranks with the Senator David Mark-led opposition coalition.

The faction, led by Abia State Chairman Don Norman Obinna, made the position known at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

NaijaChoice News reports that the group insisted the tenure of pioneer National Chairman Ralph Nwosu ended in August 2022. They described his handover of the party structure to the coalition as illegal and the root of the multiple court cases now plaguing the ADC.

The NEC members resolved to have nothing to do with Senator Mark and other coalition figures. They stated clearly that the coalition members are not card-carrying ADC members and have no authority to speak for the party.

In the same vein, the group dismissed claims by Nafiu Bala that he is National Vice Chairman, insisting he never held the position.

The faction also affirmed that Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, remains a full member of the ADC.

To prevent a leadership vacuum, the group said it has appointed new officials to run the party’s day-to-day affairs until a national convention is organised.

The move comes days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed the David Mark-led National Working Committee from its official portal, in line with a Court of Appeal order upholding the status quo ante bellum.

Party watchers say the latest split highlights deep cracks within the ADC as different interests scramble for control of its structure ahead of the 2027 general elections. The development is likely to test the coalition’s plan to use the party as a unified opposition platform.