A faction of the African Democratic Congress aligned with the party’s former presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has dissolved the National Working Committee led by David Mark. The faction also announced the formation of a new National Working Committee to oversee the party’s affairs. The decision was unveiled during the faction’s national convention held in Abuja on Sunday, with delegates from different parts of the country in attendance.
At the convention, Abdulkadir Bashir emerged as national chairman, while Johnny Derek was named deputy national chairman. Other officials announced include Kennedy Odion as national secretary, Joe Aro as national treasurer, Chris Ugwu as national publicity secretary, and Elias as national organising secretary. Patrick Ambut was appointed national chief whip, while Adamu Sahad emerged as deputy national chairman for ethics. Kingsley Oggah was also named chairman of the faction’s Board of Trustees.
The ADC, which has attracted several opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 elections, is currently divided into three rival factions battling for control of the party structure. Aside from the David Mark-led camp, the party also has factions loyal to Nafiu Bala and Dumebi Kachikwu, with each group claiming legitimacy as the authentic leadership of the party. The competing factions have separately taken legal action over the party’s leadership crisis.
In April, the Independent National Electoral Commission suspended recognition of all ADC factional leaderships following a Court of Appeal ruling and ongoing legal disputes over the party’s structure. INEC explained that the decision followed a directive from the appellate court ordering all factions to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, on April 30, the electoral commission updated its official register of political parties to recognise the David Mark-led faction, with former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola serving as national secretary. During the convention, the ADC chairman in Delta State, Austin Okolie, moved a motion for the adoption of the newly constituted National Working Committee. The motion was seconded by the party’s chairman in Jigawa State, Kabiru Hussaini, before delegates approved it through a voice vote.
The newly appointed members of the National Working Committee were thereafter sworn into office. In his acceptance speech, Bashir accused the David Mark-led leadership of acting with bias and pursuing selfish interests. He appealed to party members to support the new leadership, promising inclusive decision-making within the faction. The faction also announced Dumebi Kachikwu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The decision was disclosed by Elias Adikwu, chairman of the Electoral Committee on Presidential Primaries, shortly after the swearing-in ceremony.Adikwu, who also serves as the ADC chairman in Benue State, stated that Kachikwu emerged as the faction’s consensus presidential candidate. Kachikwu previously contested as the ADC presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/
