A new internal crisis has hit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a faction led by Don Norman Obinna has openly rejected the authority of the Senator David Mark-led coalition and distanced itself from the Nafiu Bala group, deepening the party’s leadership turmoil ahead of its planned national convention.
The faction, which addressed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, insisted it represents the “authentic National Executive Committee” of the party and declared that it has moved to take control of ADC’s administrative structure.
Citing internal party history and disputed tenure timelines, the group claimed that the leadership vacuum began after the expiration of Ralph Nwosu’s tenure in August 2022, alleging that subsequent attempts to hand over the party to the David Mark-led coalition were illegitimate.
According to the faction, Nwosu’s continued involvement in party affairs after his tenure allegedly expired has triggered “multiple litigations” and created what it described as a constitutional crisis within ADC.
In a direct challenge to rival camps, the Obinna-led group dismissed the claim of Nafiu Bala’s leadership status, insisting he “never held the position of National Vice Chairman” as previously presented by opposing factions.
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The group also moved to reassert internal legitimacy by reaffirming former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu as still a member of the party, a statement widely seen as an attempt to consolidate political relevance ahead of expected party restructuring.
Beyond claims of legitimacy, the faction announced the appointment of what it called interim leaders to oversee party operations pending a national convention, effectively setting up a parallel administrative structure within the already divided party.
The development further exposes the widening cracks within ADC, as multiple factions continue to lay claim to authority, structures, and control of party machinery.
