Conflict Erupts Within African Democratic Congress Over Party Leadership
Dumebi Kachiku, the 2023 presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused former Senate President David Mark and his affiliates of unlawfully taking control of the party. Kachiku claims that they ousted the existing executive members and replaced them with supporters through committees established without proper authorization.
This assertion came during a Thursday appearance on Arise TV, just one day after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acknowledging the congress organized by Mark’s faction. The court also prohibited Mark and other influential party members from interfering with the mandates of elected state executives.
In response, Mark, via a statement from the party’s communications secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, reassured members that the ADC will participate in all upcoming elections in 2027, despite the court ruling. He stated that the party’s legal team has already filed an appeal against the verdict and is seeking a stay of execution.
Mark underscored, “There is no need for concern over the ongoing litigation within the party. We are fully committed to winning every case and participating in every election. Our team is well-prepared to navigate these legal challenges and will operate within the law to ensure our success.”
Kachiku also pointed to the party’s constitution, which designates state presidents as the rightful leaders of parliamentary activities and conventions. He asserted that the pro-Mark committee is illegitimately undermining this established structure by appointing special committees that bypass the authority of state executives, leading to widespread discontent among party members nationwide.
Following the court’s ruling, which declared the congress and national convention organized by Mark’s faction invalid, Kachiku described the court’s proceedings as a revelation of the group’s intent. He recounted how the presiding judge criticized the legality of the faction’s actions, likening their convention to a “kangaroo convention.” Describing their deception, he noted that the faction’s lawyers erroneously denied the existence of a convention on the very day it was held.
Kachiku warned that the faction’s maneuvers could further harm an already beleaguered political party, adding that those joining the ADC amid ongoing legal turmoil likely harbored ulterior motives for disruption. He expressed his determination to defend the party against what he views as unjustified takeovers, asserting his stance that such actions will never succeed within the ADC.
As the Supreme Court prepares to rule on Mark’s appeal regarding a March Court of Appeal order that advocated maintaining the status quo in the leadership dispute, the internal strife seems far from over. Mark maintained that this matter is an internal party issue and should remain beyond judicial intervention, while the respondents—including the ADC, former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, and INEC—have urged the Supreme Court to dismiss his appeal.
During a press conference following the ruling, Kachiku remarked that the decision was long overdue and reaffirmed the resilience of the ADC. He encouraged party loyalists to remain vigilant as they work to secure their position in future elections, stating, “The ADC is not for sale, and we will demonstrate that these political opportunists cannot succeed in their attempts to usurp our party.”
At the same press conference, ADC state chairman Kingsley Ogah expressed relief over the court’s ruling, characterizing it as a validation of their ongoing struggles to maintain the integrity of the party. He emphasized the collective effort that has gone into building the ADC and highlighted the threat posed by a few individuals seeking personal gain. Ogah concluded with a warning about the potential ramifications of failing to secure electoral success, stating that any attempts at leadership takeover could jeopardize the party’s future.
