The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi State has dismissed a directive suspending party congresses, calling it illegitimate and issued by a faction led by Kingsley Ogga. The party's State Publicity Secretary, Abdulmalik Suleiman, stated that the suspension stems from a parallel structure operating under an interim arrangement not recognised by the Kogi chapter. According to Suleiman, the directive violates due process and internal party guidelines. He urged all members and stakeholders in Kogi to ignore the suspension, affirming that only the National Working Committee of the ADC has the authority to issue such directives. The Kogi chapter reiterated its allegiance to the national leadership and warned against any attempt to undermine its activities. No date was given for when the congresses might hold, but the state leadership affirmed plans to proceed with internal democratic processes as scheduled. The statement did not specify what actions the Ogga-led faction might take in response.
Kingsley Ogga's interim leadership is at the centre of a growing rift within the ADC, exposing fractures that go beyond procedural disputes. The Kogi chapter's outright rejection of his directive signals a deeper crisis of legitimacy, one that questions whether his faction holds any real authority within the party's national structure.
The situation reflects a recurring pattern in Nigerian opposition parties, where internal power struggles often overshadow political relevance. With the Kogi leadership citing the National Working Committee as the sole legitimate body, the conflict underscores a disconnect between what is presented as national leadership and what operates on the ground. The mention of an "interim arrangement" suggests a temporary power vacuum being exploited, but such arrangements rarely remain temporary in Nigerian politics—they calcify into competing fiefdoms.
Ordinary ADC members in Kogi State are caught in the crossfire, unable to participate in democratic processes while leaders dispute who has the right to convene them. Aspirants, delegates, and grassroots supporters lose momentum and morale when congresses are blocked or declared invalid.
This is not an isolated incident. ADC's turmoil mirrors similar implosions in other minor parties, where weak institutional frameworks allow individuals to project authority without accountability. Without a clear, unified command, the party risks fading into irrelevance ahead of future elections.
