Kachikwu-led ADC faction announces national convention

A faction of the African Democratic Congress led by its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has announced plans to convene a national convention and set up an interim leadership to manage the party’s affairs amid its ongoing internal crisis.

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The announcement was made in Abuja by spokesperson Norman Obinna following what the group described as an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting attended by state chairmen and other members.

Obinna said the meeting was convened to address the leadership crisis within the party, noting that a prior Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) agreement had mandated the party to hold a national convention to elect a new leadership, a process he said has not been implemented nearly two years later.

He accused the former leadership under Ralph Nwosu of attempting to transfer control of the party to individuals who were not members, while also trying to sideline state chairmen.

The faction disclosed that it has filed two court cases challenging those actions, even before the recent stance taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Citing the absence of a National Working Committee since August 2022, the group maintained that the NEC remains the highest legitimate authority within the party.

As part of its resolutions, the faction announced its disassociation from a rival coalition involving figures such as David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi, stating that actions taken by the coalition are not binding on the ADC. The group also rejected claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe to any leadership role, asserting that he has never held the position of deputy national chairman.

Obinna described the ADC as a platform for all Nigerians, accusing the rival coalition of attempting a “power grab” driven by elite interests, and reaffirmed Kachikwu’s standing as a committed member of the party. The faction further urged diplomatic missions in Nigeria not to recognise the rival coalition as representatives of the ADC.

It also announced the formation of an interim leadership to oversee the party’s day-to-day operations pending the election of a new National Working Committee at the proposed convention, calling on INEC to recognise and support the arrangement.

The crisis has been compounded by legal disputes, including a suit filed by Nafiu Gombe at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the legality of the leadership under Mark and Aregbesola, and alleging that a resignation letter by Nwosu was forged.

On April 1, INEC removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal, citing a court order to maintain the status quo, a move the party claims has hindered its ability to prepare for the 2027 elections.

The ADC, adopted as a coalition platform in July 2025, is positioning itself to challenge Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, with notable political figures such as Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rabiu Kwankwaso associated with the coalition.