The African Democratic Congress has dismissed claims of a leadership change, calling the reports false and misleading. Party spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi stated on his X account on Sunday that the circulating stories are "#FakeNews" and urged the public to ignore, flag, and report such content online. This comes after an online publication alleged that Senator David Mark had stepped down as national chairman, with plans for former chairman Ralph Nwosu to return and lead the party toward a national convention.
The report emerged shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission removed the ADC National Working Committee led by Mark from its website. INEC cited a Court of Appeal judgment dated March 12, 2026, which ordered a return to the status quo ante bellum pending resolution of a legal suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The electoral body stated it would not recognize any party structure until the matter is settled.
Two rival factions, one led by Nafiu Gombe and the other by David Mark, have been contesting control of the party. While INEC complied with the court directive, the Mark-led faction rejected the decision and demanded the dissolution of the commission. It also affirmed plans to hold a national convention in Abuja on April 14.
Senator David Mark's defiance of INEC's directive shows the depth of disarray within the ADC, not just a leadership tussle but a disregard for due process. With the Court of Appeal having already intervened, the faction's plan to hold a convention on April 14 risks deepening legal and institutional chaos. For Nigerian voters, this signals more infighting than policy focus ahead of elections. The party's instability makes it hard to see how it can present a credible alternative.
