A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has taken decisive steps to address a long-standing crisis within the party by planning a national convention to install an interim leadership. On Tuesday, in Abuja, the group’s spokesperson, Norman Obinna, announced these plans following an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), attended by state chairmen and other key members. The meeting was convened to resolve leadership issues that had persisted for almost two years, leaving the party without a functioning organizational structure.
Obinna revealed that earlier discussions had resulted in an agreement to hold a national convention to elect new party leadership. However, the planned convention had not been carried out, leading to the current crisis. He also accused the previous leadership under Ralph Nwosu of attempting to transfer control of the party to individuals not officially recognized as members, as well as targeting state chairmen who disagreed with their decisions. To counter these moves, the faction has already taken legal action against the former leadership.
The faction emphasized that the NEC remains the highest decision-making body in the party, given the absence of a National Working Committee since August 2022. As part of its resolutions, the group formally distanced itself from a coalition linked to prominent political figures such as David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi, stating that any decisions made by that coalition in the party’s name are invalid. Additionally, they dismissed claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe to a leadership role, asserting that he has never served as deputy national chairman.
The faction insisted that the ADC belongs to all Nigerians and not to a select group, and accused its opponents of attempting to seize control at the expense of long-standing members. It also reaffirmed that Dumebi Kachikwu remains a recognized member of the party. To address the immediate challenges, the faction has appointed interim leaders to manage the party’s daily activities until a new leadership is elected at the upcoming convention. It further called on diplomatic missions in Nigeria not to recognize the rival coalition as representatives of the party and requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acknowledge the newly appointed interim leadership.
Looking ahead, the faction’s actions signal a critical move toward stabilizing the ADC ahead of the 2023 general elections. The planned convention and interim leadership are intended to restore order and unity within the party, ensuring its relevance in national political discourse. As the crisis continues, the party’s ability to address these internal differences will be crucial for its long-term viability and influence in Nigeria’s political landscape.
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