A fresh crisis is shaking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after the party’s former chairman, Ralph Nwosu, dissolved all existing structures so a new coalition could challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Why the fight started
Nwosu stepped aside last week and announced a caretaker team led by ex-Senate President David Mark (interim national chairman) and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola (interim national secretary). The move follows a wider alliance driven by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who wants the ADC as the main platform to stop Tinubu’s second-term bid.
But many ADC state chairmen say the change broke party rules.
“They cannot join a party they didn’t register and just take it over. If they love the party, follow the proper procedure so every stakeholder can speak,” Benue chairman Elias Adikwu told The PUNCH.
He said the Mark-led team has begun a fresh registration drive that ignores the official membership registers at ward and local-government level.
Adikwu added, “The ADC constitution has no room for an interim executive, State chairmen remain the only recognised National Executive Committee members.”
Dumebi Kachikwu calls leaders “greedy old men”
The party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, slammed the alliance as “a bunch of greedy old men.”
His allies in Akwa Ibom, Borno and other states say they are waiting for Kachikwu to unveil the next steps.
However, other state branches back the coalition.
Also Read:
Edo chairman Kennedy Odion said, “This is a new dawn. Nigerians feared a one-party state. With this coalition, the ADC has become the nation’s bride.”
Benue’s current chairman Celestine Orbunde also dismissed Kachikwu, noting he was expelled earlier.
“Benue ADC fully supports the new leaders,” Orbunde said.
Youth wing welcomes change—-but wants respect
ADC Continental Youth Council spokesman Musa Matara likes the idea of a broad alliance but says young members were ignored.
He said, “ADC is open to all Nigerians. Yet we heard of the takeover from friends in other parties. If you replace leaders, follow the rules. Why bring back recycled politicians when most ADC members are youths?”
Atiku meets supporters, Sokoto network launched
Former Transport Minister Idris Umar led a Gombe delegation to Atiku in Abuja, promising full support.
Atiku replied, “I will stand against stolen elections and bad governance.”
In Sokoto, the coalition named Mainasara Umar as state coordinator to build a grassroots network.
“This is about a coalition of conscience. We want people-centred leadership,” Umar said.
Interim publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi insists the handover was legal, citing party meetings approved by the electoral commission (INEC).
“Anyone with questions should ask Ralph Nwosu,” he said.