A faction within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), aligned with its 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, has unveiled plans to convene a national convention and set up an interim leadership to steer the party’s affairs.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, the group’s spokesperson, Norman Obinna, said the decision followed what he described as an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting attended by state chairmen and key stakeholders.
According to him, the gathering was prompted by the lingering leadership crisis within the party.
Obinna noted that previous reconciliation efforts had resulted in an agreement to hold a national convention for the election of a new leadership.
However, he lamented that this process has stalled for nearly two years, leaving the party without a functional structure.
Transfer Of Control
He further accused the former leadership led by Ralph Nwosu of attempting to transfer control of the party to individuals outside its membership, while also targeting state chairmen who refused to align with their agenda.
The faction disclosed that it had already initiated legal proceedings to contest those actions prior to the recent position taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It argued that in the absence of a National Working Committee since August 2022, the NEC remains the party’s highest decision-making authority.
In addition, the group rejected any association with a coalition reportedly involving figures such as David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi, insisting that any actions taken in the party’s name by that alliance are invalid.
It also dismissed claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe to any leadership position within the party, stating that he has never served as deputy national chairman.
A Collective Platform
Reaffirming its stance, the faction stressed that the ADC is a collective platform for all Nigerians and should not be dominated by a select few.
It accused the rival camp of attempting to sideline longstanding members in a bid to seize control.
The group reiterated that Kachikwu remains a legitimate member of the party and urged diplomatic missions in Nigeria to disregard the rival coalition as representatives of the ADC.
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As part of its resolutions, the faction announced the formation of an interim leadership to oversee the party’s day-to-day operations pending the election of a new National Working Committee at the proposed convention.
It also called on INEC to recognise the arrangement.