The internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken another twist, with a fresh faction stepping forward to claim legitimacy and distancing itself from the party’s existing rival groups.
The new faction, which appeared in Abuja on Tuesday, declared that it is not aligned with either the camp linked to David Mark or the group backing Nafiu Bala, further complicating the party’s leadership dispute.
Led by Don Norman Obinna, the group insists it represents the authentic National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, made up of properly elected officials.
Speaking to journalists, Obinna argued that the tenure of former national chairman Ralph Nwosu expired in August 2022. He accused Nwosu of overstaying in office and contributing to the party’s ongoing legal battles.
The faction also rejected the reported transfer of party leadership to the David Mark-led coalition, describing it as unlawful and without constitutional backing.
According to the group, neither the Mark-led bloc nor Nafiu Bala has any legitimate authority to represent the party. It further challenged Bala’s claims, stating he was never the party’s National Vice Chairman.
Additionally, the faction maintained that Dumebi Kachikwu remains a recognized member of the ADC despite the ongoing disputes.
To stabilise the situation, the Obinna-led group announced interim appointments to manage party affairs until a national convention is held to establish a legitimate leadership structure.
The latest development adds to the already complex crisis that began after the controversial exit of Ralph Nwosu, leading to multiple factions laying claim to the party’s leadership.
Meanwhile, prominent political figures have started reacting to the situation. Former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso recently cautioned Nafiu Bala against being influenced amid the turmoil.
Kwankwaso disclosed that Bala failed to attend a scheduled meeting with him and stressed the need for political maturity and proper guidance, warning that the ongoing actions could further destabilize both the party and the country.
The crisis has also moved into the legal arena, with several court cases filed by the competing factions.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has responded by withdrawing recognition from all factions involved and removing key names from its official portal pending the outcome of the court proceedings.
INEC further stated that it will not monitor or acknowledge any activities conducted by the factions until the dispute is resolved, in line with a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the status quo.