BREAKING: ADC Resolve Party Crisis, Unveils Interim Leadership at Convention

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced plans to convene a national convention and appoint interim leaders to oversee the party’s affairs amid its ongoing internal crisis.

The group, aligned with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja through its spokesperson, Norman Obinna. The announcement followed what was described as an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), attended by state chairmen and other party stakeholders.

Obinna explained that the meeting was convened to tackle the lingering leadership dispute within the party. He noted that previous reconciliation efforts had resulted in an agreement to hold a national convention for the election of a new leadership, a process he said has not been implemented for nearly two years.

According to him, the delay has left the party without a properly constituted structure. He further alleged that the former leadership under Ralph Nwosu attempted to transfer control of the party to individuals outside its membership, while also seeking to remove state chairmen who did not align with its position.

The faction stated that it had already approached the courts to challenge those actions prior to the recent position taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It added that since the absence of a National Working Committee since August 2022, the NEC remains the party’s highest decision-making organ.

As part of its resolutions, the group distanced the ADC from a coalition reportedly associated with figures such as David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi, insisting that any actions taken by that alliance in the party’s name are invalid.

It also rejected claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe to any leadership position, maintaining that he has never served as deputy national chairman.

The faction emphasized that the party belongs to all Nigerians, accusing the opposing group of attempting to seize control at the expense of longstanding members. It also reaffirmed that Kachikwu remains a recognized member of the party.

In addition, the group urged diplomatic missions in Nigeria to refrain from engaging with the rival coalition as representatives of the ADC.

It concluded by announcing the appointment of interim officials to manage the party’s day-to-day operations pending the election of a new National Working Committee at the proposed convention, while calling on INEC to recognise the arrangement.