New ADC faction emerges as Kachikwu-led group announces convention

… Anambra chapter halts planned congresses

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is grappling with a deepening internal crisis as a faction loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, formally announced plans to hold a National Convention to elect new leadership.

Kachikwu was sacked by the party before the 2023 presidential election.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the faction’s spokesperson, Norman Obinna, following an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which he said was attended by state chairmen and other key officials.

Obinna accused the former leadership under Ralph Nwosu of attempting to unlawfully transfer control of the party to non-members and of sidelining state chairmen. He added that the faction had filed two court cases challenging these actions even before the recent intervention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The key outcome of prior Alternative Dispute Resolution efforts was that the ADC would hold a national convention to produce new leadership. This has not been implemented for almost two years,” Obinna said.

The faction further announced an interim leadership to oversee day-to-day administration until a new National Working Committee is elected at the convention. It also formally dissociated itself from a rival coalition led by former Senate President David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Bolaji Abdullahi, and others, warning the public and diplomatic missions not to recognise them as ADC representatives. Obinna reaffirmed Kachikwu’s status as “a committed and bona fide member” of the party.

The crisis has also affected state chapters. The Anambra State chapter of the ADC, under Chairman Patrick Obianyo, announced the immediate suspension of all planned and proposed congresses across the state, citing the need to uphold the rule of law, due process, and judicial authority. The statement directed members to disregard any actions or directives from unauthorised individuals claiming leadership positions and confirmed that the current executive committee remains constitutionally valid and recognised by INEC.

The internal dispute comes after INEC, on April 1, derecognised the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee, citing a Court of Appeal order to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

Observers say the ongoing rift between the Kachikwu-led faction and the Mark-led leadership risks undermining the party’s ability to field candidates in the 2027 general elections. Both factions have accused the other of a “power grab,” leaving the party’s future uncertain as it seeks to reconcile internal differences ahead of the polls.