ADC Dissolves David Mark-Led NWC, Picks Kachikwu as Presidential Candidate

ADC Dissolves David Mark-Led NWC, Picks Kachikwu as Presidential Candidate

A fresh leadership crisis erupted in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Sunday as a faction loyal to Dumebi Kachikwu dissolved the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and declared him the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The dramatic moves were taken at the faction’s national convention and presidential primary in Abuja, where delegates endorsed Kachikwu through a voice vote in what supporters described as a decisive push to reclaim the party’s direction amid deepening internal divisions.

In a sweeping restructuring that underscored the widening split within the ADC, the faction immediately announced a new set of national officers to replace the dissolved leadership.

The newly constituted executives include Kingsley Oggah as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Abdulkadir Bashir as National Chairman, Johnny Derek as National Secretary, Kennedy O. Odion as National Treasurer, Chief Amirigoye as National Financial Secretary, alongside Dr Chris Ugwu as National Legal Adviser and other officials.

Receiving the party’s flag amid chants from supporters, Kachikwu painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current realities, saying the country was drifting dangerously under the weight of insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and deep social discontent.

He said the worsening conditions had forced many Nigerians, especially professionals and young people, to flee abroad in search of survival and dignity.

“The mass exodus of our middle class is indicative of those who have chosen not to be part of this hardship anymore,” Kachikwu declared.

According to him, the ADC must rise as a credible alternative capable of restoring hope and rebuilding confidence in governance.

He also warned against what he described as the capture of the nation by a privileged few, insisting that Nigeria belongs to all citizens regardless of status or political affiliation.

Earlier, Chairman of ADC State Chairmen, Kingsley Oggah, described the convention as a turning point for the party, saying members had remained steadfast despite prolonged internal turbulence and mounting pressures.

He said the gathering demonstrated the resilience of party loyalists determined to keep the ADC alive amid the ongoing power struggle.

Also speaking, the newly elected National Chairman, Abdulkadir Bashir, appealed for calm and unity, urging members to respect the party’s constitution and avoid actions capable of worsening the crisis.

“No individual is bigger than the party,” Bashir said, as he called on aggrieved members to return and help strengthen the ADC ahead of future elections.

The latest development further exposes the widening crack within the opposition party following the emergence of another faction aligned with former Senate President David Mark.

Mark’s bloc emerged from the political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections after the former Peoples Democratic Party stalwart joined the ADC in 2025 as part of a broader opposition coalition seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The coalition gained momentum in July 2025 when ADC founder and former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, stepped down alongside members of the party’s NWC and endorsed Mark as interim national chairman — a move that triggered fresh tensions within the party.