ADC Leadership Rift Widens as New Faction Emerges, Backs INEC's Position

A significant internal leadership challenge has arisen within the All Democratic Congress (ADC), as a group representing state chairpersons has announced a takeover of the party's national structure. This development includes the unveiling of an interim national leadership and a formal endorsement of the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) recent stance concerning rival factions.

During a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, Don Obinna, alongside 24 state chairmen and representatives from various regions, declared their assumption of party control. They cited the INEC's suspension of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) as the catalyst for this action, stating it created a leadership vacuum.

The group further distanced itself from both the David Mark-led faction and another associated with Nafiu Bala Gombe. They asserted that the ADC operates as a unified entity without any internal factions, with the state chairmen holding ultimate authority.

The state chairmen declared that Mr. Bala has never held a recognized position within the party and characterized his emergence as part of unconstitutional manoeuvres. "We disassociate the ADC from Nafiu Gombe and firmly and unequivocally state that he has never held the position of deputy chairman of the ADC," Mr. Obinna stated.

He elaborated that this decision was prompted by continuous constitutional breaches, such as the failure to convene mandatory National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings and attempts to marginalize elected state executives. "Since the emergence of David Mark’s NWC, we’ve never held an NEC meeting. They contravened the party’s constitution. NEC doesn’t even know if a congress is supposed to have been held. There’s a case in court on that," Mr. Obinna explained.

Consequently, the state chairmen announced the formation of an interim National Executive Committee tasked with managing the party's affairs and organizing a national convention. This interim committee comprises Temitope Ogga (Kogi) as chairman, Odion Kennedy (Edo) as secretary, Muhammad Jidda (Borno) as deputy chairman, Kabiru Hussaini (Jigawa) as assistant secretary, Charles Omidiji (Osun) as national organising secretary, Johnny Derek (Bayelsa) as deputy organising secretary, Stella Chukwu (Enugu) as treasurer, and Mr. Obinna as publicity secretary.

The group also expressed support for INEC's position on the leadership dispute, viewing the commission's intervention as a necessary measure to restore order within the party. Mr. Ogga additionally questioned the eligibility of individuals within the David Mark-led group, referencing constitutional clauses that require a minimum of two years of party membership for those seeking elective office.

Background to the Internal Conflict

This latest action by the state chairmen's bloc occurs amidst escalating tensions between the ADC and INEC concerning the party's internal leadership struggles.

The conflict intensified when the ADC, in a press conference last Thursday, called for the immediate resignation of INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan. The party accused the electoral commission of undermining democratic principles and interfering in the internal matters of political parties.

During that briefing, Mr. Mark, who claims to be the factional national chairman, voiced concerns about the perceived contraction of democratic space under President Bola Tinubu's administration. He argued that INEC's refusal to recognize the party's leadership raised significant questions about the commission's impartiality and autonomy.

Mr. Mark, a former Senate president, asserted that the party would proceed with its internal organizational activities irrespective of INEC's stance, contending that the law does not mandate the commission's presence at party congresses or conventions.

Reinforcing this viewpoint, the party, in a statement on Friday signed by its National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, indicated its intention to proceed with scheduled congresses and a national convention despite INEC's warnings.

The party maintained that it had met all statutory requirements, including formally notifying the electoral body of its planned activities, and characterized INEC's actions as unlawful.

At the core of the current dispute is INEC's decision to withhold recognition from any ADC leadership faction, a move taken in accordance with a Court of Appeal ruling that mandates all parties to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of a substantive case before the Federal High Court.

This Federal High Court case was initiated by Mr. Bala, a former national vice chairman of the ADC, who is contesting Mr. Mark's claim to the national chairmanship following the resignation of the previous chairman, Ralph Nwosu. Mr. Bala seeks a judicial declaration recognizing him as the legitimate national chairman based on the party's constitution.

In the ongoing legal battle, Mr. Mark's faction had filed an interlocutory appeal at the Court of Appeal prior to proceedings at the Federal High Court. However, the appellate court dismissed this appeal and issued an order for all parties to maintain the status quo.

Following this ruling, INEC declared that it would not recognize any faction of the ADC leadership until a final judgment is rendered by the court.

However, Mr. Mark has contested INEC's interpretation of the court's ruling, asserting that there is no legal foundation for the de-recognition of his leadership. He suggested that INEC should have sought judicial clarification if any ambiguity existed in the court's directive.

He also implicated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the crisis, alleging that Mr. Bala was being utilized as a tool to destabilize the ADC as part of a larger political strategy to weaken opposition parties in anticipation of future elections.

In response, INEC chairman, Mr. Amupitan, cautioned the party against proceeding with its planned congresses without the commission's oversight, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. Speaking on Arise Television, he highlighted that a motion related to the dispute had not yet been decided and warned that any action taken in violation of the court order could result in "grave legal consequences."

He referenced past instances in Zamfara and Plateau states where non- compliance with court orders led to the nullification of electoral victories, with second-place candidates ultimately declared winners.