A new faction within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) surfaced on Tuesday, April 7, rejecting the authority of the senator David Mark-led coalition and distancing itself from Nafiu Bala’s faction.
The group led by Don Obinna claimed to represent the legitimate National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
Speaking on behalf of NEC members, Obinna reacted to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s delisting of the David Mark-led leadership, saying, “Ignorance is not only a disease, but also a crime.”
“We have watched with amusement how a few Nigerians with no real understanding of issues concerning our party, the ADC, have jumped in with emotions devoid of reasoning and understanding.
“We therefore wish to correct a lot of misinformation out there in the public domain. But before doing this, we want to say we are in total support of INEC’s position on this matter and commend them on their bravery in finally doing what is right.”
Obinna explained that the faction arose from an emergency NEC meeting held on April 7
The meeting resolved to formally dissociate the ADC from David Mark and his coalition, asserting that all actions taken by them in the name of the ADC are not binding on the ADC.
The faction also clarified the status of Nafiu Bala, noting that he has never held the position of deputy chairman of the ADC, and reaffirmed that former ADC presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu is a committed and bona fide member of the party, whose supposed expulsion by the David Mark group was an act of desperation taken too far.
Obinna emphasised that the ADC remains a party of and for all Nigerians, and not just for former political office holders and the elites, adding that the ADC is also not for sale.
He also accused those who called themselves the coalition of having no democratic credentials and being only interested in a power grab, as evidenced by the way and manner in which they attempted to hijack our party and throw out the original members.
The new faction said new interim leaders have been appointed to manage the party’s day-to-day affairs pending the election of a new national working committee at the forthcoming convention.
Obinna urged INEC to accord them the necessary recognition and support to save the ADC from total collapse.
The development comes amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC, with rival factions contesting control of the party.
The INEC recently withdrew recognition of the party’s leadership under former senate president David Mark.
INEC, through its national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, Mohammed Haruna, announced the decision on April 1, citing a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of Mark’s leadership.
The commission removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal.
It stated it would not also recognise Nafiu Bala of Gombe, who had approached the court seeking to be declared national chairman.
Haruna explained that INEC had received conflicting legal demands from opposing camps, including a cautionary letter from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co. advising against recognising Bala, and a counter-letter from Summit Law Chambers requesting enforcement of the court of appeal judgment affirming Bala’s position.
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