Third Faction Emerges in ADC: Obinna-Led Group Rejects Both David Mark and Nafiu Bala Camps

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) crisis has deepened with the emergence of a third faction, further complicating the party’s leadership tangle ahead of the 2027 elections.

A group led by Don Norman Obinna declared itself the authentic National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ADC at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, dissociating from both the Senator David Mark-led opposition coalition and the faction associated with Nafiu Bala.

“Illegal Handover”

The Obinna-led faction argued that former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu’s tenure officially ended in August 2022, accusing him of “clinging to power illegally” and triggering multiple litigations.

It described Nwosu’s subsequent handover of the party to the David Mark coalition as “an illegal act.”

Key Resolutions

The new faction announced:

• Full dissociation from Senator David Mark and his coalition members

• Rejection of Nafiu Bala, insisting he never held the position of National Vice Chairman

• Declaration that the David Mark-led coalition “are not members of ADC and cannot speak for the party”

• Affirmation that former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu remains a bona fide ADC member

• Appointment of new members to manage party affairs until a national convention is held

Three Camps, One Party

The ADC now has three competing leadership claims:

Don Norman Obinna declares self the authentic National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ADC

What’s at Stake

With INEC refusing to accept the ADC’s correspondence and a May 10 filing deadline looming, the leadership chaos threatens to bar the party from fielding candidates in 2027.

As one faction after another stakes its claim, the electoral umpire faces an increasingly difficult task: determining who, if anyone, legitimately speaks for the ADC.

Written by Boom RadioNG