2027: Anxious aspirants press ADC leaders for alternative platform

• LP, NDC mock party, say ‘ADC is already out of time’

• Party sets up network of envoys in foreign countries

The David Mark-led group in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is now desperately seeking an alternative platform for its members to contest next year’s elections following the recent decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of the two factions laying claim to the party’s leadership.

The Nation gathered that the group is not prepared to take any risk that may jeopardise its chances in the elections after INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan warned on Friday that violating a court order would not be in the interest of the party ahead of the polls.

The INEC’s decision was on account of an order of the Court of Appeal that the status quo ante bellum be maintained in the party’s leadership tussle.

The group in its initial response to the INEC decision had vowed to proceed with its congresses and national convention later this month.

However, Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), warned that should the party carry out its threat, it should expect to meet with the same fate that befell the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State in the past.

Sources said the David Mark group came to the conclusion that given the time constraint imposed by the revised timetable for the 2027 elections, it would be extremely difficult for the ADC to sort out the current legal cases it is involved in before the May 31, 2026 deadline for the parties to conduct their primaries.

It was gathered that soon after the INEC’s announcement last week, the leadership of the group launched into a series of meetings and consultations with its lawyers to consider the options open to it.

It was gathered that although the group agreed in principle to continue with the appeal filed by it, that option was considered insufficient as there is no guarantee that the case could be disposed off soon or even turn out in its favour.

Its attention was also drawn to the fact that apart from the case between Nafiu Bala Gombe and David Mark, there are at least two other cases on the ADC leadership tussle: Dubem Kachukwu & 4 Ors v. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & 5 Ors. and Adeyemi Emmanuel & 2 Ors v . ADC, INEC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Bolaji Abdullahi and Ors.

The other option tabled at the meetings was political.

Some of the participants, according to sources, proposed that the group should consider one or two existing parties that are free of the kind of baggage they found in ADC.

No conclusion has been reached yet on this as further meetings have been scheduled for this week.

One source familiar with the development described the political option as irresistible.

“As it stands today, we cannot communicate with INEC because we are not recognised,” the source said.

“Time is not on our side and the most sensible thing for us to do in the circumstance is to move fast and adopt a platform that will not give us the kind of problem we ran into in ADC.”

The source said adopting a new platform would pacify members who have been anxiously praying for a quick resolution of the ongoing face-off between the two factions of the party; a development they see as a huge threat to those seeking to contest the 2027 elections.

Party sources in the states said the uncertainty in the party has thrown members, particularly aspirants, into confusion with the deadline for the conduct of primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from them, around the corner.

The revised timetable sets April 23, 2026 for the commencement of party primaries and May 30, 2026 for their conclusion.

The party’s Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Bimbo Adelowo, admitted that the present uncertainty has indeed created confusion for the party.

But he blamed INEC for allegedly interpreting court rulings to suit its own agenda.

He said INEC would do better to seek interpretation from the court on the ruling of the Court of Appeal instead of assuming the role of an interpreter.

Chieftains of ADC in Anambra State similarly admitted that they found the development frustrating.

A top member of the party, Okolie Akrika, said tough as the situation is, the party would not be deterred in any way.

Governorship candidate of ADC in Ondo State in the November 2024 election, Myson Nejo, told The Nation in Akure that the party would not be deterred by INEC’s decision and would continue with its planned congresses.

He said: “What the law, the Electoral Act, says is that INEC may attend, not ‘shall’. So, we recognise them. That’s why we asked them to come out with their congress.

“There’s nothing to be worried about. I’ve been talking to the people. I’ve been telling them that they should not worry. They should go on with their congresses. It doesn’t affect us.”

Spokesperson of ADC in Ondo State, Mr Eniola Olurotimi, said the development, though concerning, has inadvertently strengthened the party.

Olurotimi, who is also an aspirant of the party for the House of Assembly seat for Ifedore, alleged that certain elements were being sponsored to hijack the party structure despite lacking grassroots presence.

PAACA blames ADC for crisis

Civil society organisation, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), said yesterday that ADC’s crisis stemmed from the the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism.

It said continued demonization of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not help the party.

In a statement in Abuja, Executive Director of the CSO, Ezenwa Nwagwu, said a breakdown in handling disagreements by leaders of the party has unnecessarily escalated tensions, adding that if the ADC had addressed its internal disagreements through established administrative channels, much of the legal and public controversy would have been avoided.

He cited similar disputes in the past involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he said were addressed through administrative engagement without escalating tensions publicly.

He said: “There is no need for the ADC’s grandstanding. This is a matter that could have been settled administratively. The ADC leadership could have approached INEC for the resolution of grey areas while also initiating mediation within its ranks.

“When the PDP had similar issues, they approached INEC and the matters were resolved. However, there is no evidence that the ADC leadership, led by David Mark, has met with INEC to resolve this matter.”

LP, NDC mock ADC

Two opposition parties, Labour Party (LP) and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), have taken to social media to mock the ADC over its leadership crisis.

The LP,whose presidential candidate in the 2023 election,Peter Obi,switched to ADC,asked Nigerians to enroll as its members.

“We are standing. Supreme Court has already settled our matter,” the LP said on X

It added: “What are you waiting for? Hop in and let us rescue Nigeria together.”

The Seriake Dickson-led NDC was even more direct in its own dig posted on X.

It said: “ADC is already out of time. When case enters court, it’s no longer within your control. Join NDC now.”

ADC unveils global representatives’ network to boost democratic engagements

The ADC yesterday announced a new Special Representatives’ Network across key global capitals to expand what it called international engagements and promote democratic accountability in Nigeria.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the initiative was meant to respond to alleged growing undemocratic practices and attacks on opposition figures since July 2025, including efforts to weaken parties and restrict participation.

The network, according to him, would establish communication channels between the party and influential stakeholders in countries that prioritise democracy, human rights and rule of law.

“Under the plan, representatives will be appointed as envoys in capitals, serving as official contacts between ADC and foreign governments, media organisations and diaspora communities.

“These envoys will provide regular briefings on Nigeria’s political climate, covering developments, human rights concerns, electoral integrity, governance issues and alleged repression against opposition actors.

“They will also communicate the ADC’s policy positions and reform proposals to international stakeholders,” Abdullahi said.

He said that the objective was to ensure that international partners received balanced and credible information on Nigeria’s situation.

Abdullahi added that the initiative would strengthen the party’s credibility, reinforce its standing as a governing alternative and deepen commitment to democratic norms and constitutional governance.

He said that the party had identified Washington DC, London, Brussels; Berlin, Ottawa, Paris, Pretoria, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Accra, Geneva and New York for its international strategic engagements.

Atiku: I’ll support whoever emerges ADC presidential candidate

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is seeking the ADC presidential ticket, said yesterday that he would support whoever emerges as the party’s flag bearer.

He told the Hausa Service of Deutsche Welle (DW Hausa) that only three or four have shown interest in the ticket so far as against over 10 that contested previously in his former party, the PDP.

“We will support and endorse whoever emerges as the flag bearer. How many are we (presidential aspirants), three or four? In the PDP, more than 10 of us contested,” he said.

Prompted if he would support a younger person as the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku said: “Yes, why not?

“Allah has done everything for me. I have brought my sons and grandchildren home. What will be their future and that of their children?”

– Culled from The Nation