ADC Crisis Deepens as State Chairmen Move to Form Caretaker Committee

A leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified, with state chairmen of the party announcing plans to assume control through a proposed caretaker committee.

The move follows a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) from its official records, in compliance with a Court of Appeal order.

Speaking in an interview, the Chairman of ADC state chairmen and Kogi State party leader, Temitope Ogga, said the decision was aimed at preventing a leadership vacuum and stabilising the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

Ogga stated that the National Executive Committee (NEC), made up of state chairmen, would meet on Tuesday to appoint a caretaker committee to oversee the party’s affairs pending the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings.

INEC had earlier said it acted in line with a March 12, 2026 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which directed parties in the dispute to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of a substantive case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The ADC has been divided by a prolonged leadership dispute, with factions led by Nafiu Bala Gombe and David Mark both laying claim to the party’s national structure.

Despite INEC’s action, the Mark-led NWC rejected the decision, accusing the electoral body of bias and calling for its dissolution. The faction also insisted it would proceed with its planned national convention scheduled for April 14 in Abuja.

Ogga, however, maintained that any convention conducted without INEC’s recognition would be invalid. He added that the state chairmen would formally notify the commission of their decision to take over the party’s leadership and submit names of caretaker committee members after their meeting.

He said the action by the state chairmen was based on the party’s constitution, which positions them as the next highest authority after the NWC. According to him, the intervention is temporary and intended to preserve the party’s structure until the courts deliver a final ruling.

Ogga also indicated that the state leadership would accept the court’s decision, including reinstating the current NWC if so directed.

Meanwhile, the embattled NWC criticised INEC’s interpretation of the appellate court ruling. In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the faction accused the commission of misrepresenting the directive to maintain the status quo and exceeding its constitutional role.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, cautioned the Mark-led faction against proceeding with any congresses or convention without official recognition, warning that actions taken outside legal provisions would not be acknowledged by the commission.

The NWC, however, maintained that its internal processes, including congresses and the proposed convention, remain lawful and are not restricted by any court order. It reiterated its intention to continue with scheduled activities while pursuing legal resolution of the dispute.