In a drama unfolding under Abuja’s political spotlight, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is embroiled in a fierce leadership battle that reads like a thriller—not merely a leadership tussle, but a confrontation over legitimacy, constitutionalism, and the soul of a once-steadfast third-force party.
On 8 August 2025, the ADC swiftly dismissed former Senate President David Mark’s leadership claim as “unfounded” and in clear violation of its constitution.
The statement reaffirmed Alhaji Nafiu Bala as its legitimate National Chairman, insisting that the departure of founder Chief Ralph Nwosu triggered a legally prescribed process—not an open season for power grabs.
Constitutional Guardrails vs. Political Opportunism
The ADC’s resolution is crystal: only bona fide party members, abiding by its constitution and subject to democratic ratification via its National Executive Council (NEC) and party conventions, may ascend to party leadership.
The party went further, aligning with INEC’s regulatory framework and invoking both INEC regulations and the Nigerian Constitution to underline that no legal avenue exists for ad hoc power grabs.
Yet David Mark, wielding decades of political gravitas (Senate President 2007–2015, longest-serving Senate boss, and a recent entrant into ADC in 2025 after departing PDP, boldly asserted himself as interim National Chairman.
His camp even petitioned INEC, submitting minutes of an NEC meeting and invoking Articles 19(12)(vii) and 19(14) of the ADC’s constitution in a letter dated 29 July 2025.
Factions Unleashed: Originalists vs. Coalition Opportunists
Tracing the schism deeper, Hon. Leke Abejide, an ADC House of Reps member, lambasted the Mark coalition as “political marauders” who “entered through the window,” bypassing foundational democratic pathways.
With claims of exclusion of original members from key appointments, he threatened legal action to defend the party’s core identity.
The faction backing Nafiu Bala brands itself as the protector of ADC’s founding vision.
A Party at the Crossroads: Historical Identity vs. Electoral Ambition
Founded in 2005 by Nwosu—himself a veteran leader who once led the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)—ADC rose as a bulwark against one-party dominance.
For years, it stood for integrity and democratic inclusivity. Fast forward to 2025, and ADC has become a magnet for heavyweight defectors—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir el-Rufai among others—seeking a coalition platform ahead of the pivotal 2027 general elections.
ADC remains one of Nigeria’s smaller parties: as of 2022, it held just two seats in the National Assembly and no senators.
Yet the injection of heavyweight politicians marks a potential game-changer: analysts suggest this realignment could elevate ADC to Nigeria’s main opposition party.
If ADC fractures, the fragmented opposition risks playing directly into the hands of the ruling APC, undermining any unified front for 2027.
The Way Forward—or Backward?
ADC’s Special Assistant, Dr Aminu Sani Alhassan, delivered a scathing rebuke of Mark’s actions, calling them a blatant disregard for party governance and democratic order, urging genuine members to stay calm and rally behind Alhaji Nafiu.
Meanwhile, Mark’s camp, insisting it followed due process via NEC motions, awaits formal recognition from INEC.
This is more than an internal ADC squabble—it’s a test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience and opposition coherence. Will ADC uphold its constitutional values, or will political opportunism fracture the fledgling platform designed to challenge APC’s dominance?
If originalists prevail, ADC might emerge stronger and more principled heading into 2027. If not, the party could succumb to internal sabotage—handing a historic advantage to the ruling party.
