The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State is facing deepening internal turmoil following the resignation of its state vice chairman, Eric Oluwole. In a letter dated 3 April, Oluwole cited "irreconcilable differences over the leadership crisis" as the reason for his exit, stating he could no longer cope with the instability threatening Nigeria's political development. He addressed the letter to the ADC chairman in Ward 7, Ondo West, and confirmed that he and his political associates would be leaving with their structure to pursue politics elsewhere. Oluwole emphasized the importance of forgiveness, unity, and reconciliation in political parties, lamenting their absence in the current ADC leadership struggle. His resignation adds to existing tensions within the party, which have been exacerbated by disputes over control of its structures. Myson Nejo, the party's gubernatorial candidate in the November 2024 election, accused former members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) of attempting to hijack the ADC in Ondo State. Nejo insisted the party does not belong to Atiku Abubakar and must remain independent. The crisis has forced the suspension of planned ward, local government, and state congresses, in line with an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) directive to maintain the status quo. This follows a court order that led INEC to delist national ADC figures David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its records.
Eric Oluwole's resignation is not just a personal exit but a public indictment of how power contests within minor parties are increasingly shaped by external political influences rather than internal democracy. His reference to Nigeria's political stability as being under threat suggests the crisis in the ADC is symbolic of a broader decay in party integrity, where affiliations shift not over ideology but control. The fact that Oluwole explicitly cited a lack of forgiveness and unity points to a culture of personal rivalry that has overtaken institutional cohesion.
The accusations by Myson Nejo against defectors from the PDP reveal a deeper struggle over political realignment in Ondo State, where minor parties like the ADC are becoming battlegrounds for bigger political forces. His insistence that the party does not belong to Atiku Abubakar indicates a defensive posture against perceived takeover attempts, possibly linked to national-level political calculations. The INEC-mandated suspension of party activities and the delisting of national figures like David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola further show how court interventions and regulatory actions are now routine in managing party implosions.
Ordinary ADC members and supporters in Ondo State are the immediate casualties, as their political platform fractures without clear resolution. Aspirants who relied on the party structure for elections now face uncertainty, while grassroots members lose a vehicle for engagement. This instability weakens the opposition space, which could indirectly benefit dominant parties in the state.
The ADC's turmoil fits a recurring pattern in Nigerian politics: minor parties emerging with promise, only to collapse under the weight of leadership disputes and alleged hijackings by political defectors. Without credible internal governance, such parties risk becoming temporary shelters for political adventurers rather than lasting institutions.
