EXPLAINER: Things to know about ADC’s three factions and their leaders

Crisis within the African Democratic Congress intensified on Tuesday following the emergence of a new faction claiming to be the party’s legitimate national executive committee.

ADC, once viewed as a potential platform for a united opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, is now fractured by a bitter leadership crisis that has produced three rival factions.

The new faction, led by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, announced plans to convene a national convention and constitute an interim leadership to manage the party’s affairs.

The group’s spokesperson, Norman Obinna, who disclosed this during a media briefing, also rejected the authority of the Senator David Mark-led coalition and distanced itself from Nafiu Bala’s faction.

In this report, PidomNigeria Online explains the crisis within ADC and its three factions.

Background of the crisis

Ralph Nwosu, who had led the ADC for nearly two decades, announced his resignation in July 2025 and facilitated the emergence of an interim leadership tied to a coalition of opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others.

This move was intended to reposition the party as a major opposition force.

However, it triggered immediate challenges, as former Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, asserted his right to succeed Nwosu under the party constitution.

Kachikwu and his allies also argued that Nwosu lacked the authority to hand over the party, describing the coalition as a “hostile takeover.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission initially engaged with the Mark-led group but later withdrew recognition from both the Mark and Gombe factions, citing court orders to maintain the status quo ante pending resolution of suits at the Federal High Court.

The crisis has left the party without a generally recognised national leadership, complicating preparations for ward, local government, state, and national congresses.

The three factions and their leaders

1. David Mark-led faction (Coalition/Interim Caretaker Group)

Leader: Senator David Mark, former Senate President.

Key figures in this faction include three 2023 presidential candidates, such as Atiku Abubakar (Peoples Democratic Party), Peter Obi (Labour Party), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (New Nigeria Peoples Party).

Others in the faction are former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and Bolaji Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary.

The faction emerged directly from Nwosu’s July 2025 handover and a National Executive Committee decision.

It positions itself as the legitimate leadership tasked with unifying the party and steering it towards 2027.

The group has held events and initially received INEC recognition, which was later withdrawn.

Supporters argue the transition followed party processes and was necessary to accommodate new members.

Current stance: Maintains that it remains in control despite INEC’s recent delisting of its leadership from the commission’s portal.

2. Nafiu Bala Gombe-led faction

Leader: Nafiu Bala Gombe, former Deputy National Chairman.

Backed by certain members of the old National Working Committee and state-level loyalists, Gombe insists he never validly resigned and is the rightful acting National Chairman by constitutional succession after Nwosu’s exit.

The matter is before the court.

3. Dumebi Kachikwu-led faction

Leader: Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate.

Key figures: Supported by several state chairmen and executives who claim continuity with the pre-2025 structure.

This faction rejects both the Mark coalition and Gombe’s leadership claims, stating that Gombe “has never served as deputy national chairman.”

On Tuesday, the group announced plans for a national convention and the constitution of an interim leadership to manage party affairs.

It said Kachikwu “is a committed and bona fide member of the party, whose supposed expulsion was an act of desperation taken too far.”

Obinna emphasised that the ADC remains a party “of and for all Nigerians, and not just for former political office holders and the elites,” adding that “the ADC is also not for sale.”

He urged INEC to accord them the necessary recognition and support in order to save the party from total collapse.

Current status

INEC has stated that it will not recognise any faction, including the Mark or Gombe groups, nor monitor their meetings, congresses, or conventions until the Federal High Court resolves the disputes.

This stance leaves the party in limbo.