The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified, with the faction led by David Mark insisting that its planned national convention will proceed despite mounting internal divisions and legal concerns.
Parallel congresses held across several states — including Kaduna, Enugu, Edo, Ondo, and Ogun — have further exposed deep fractures within the party, raising doubts about its readiness for the convention scheduled to take place in Abuja on Tuesday. In contrast, the Delta State chapter reportedly adopted a consensus approach in selecting its leadership.
Sources within the Mark-led faction disclosed that preparations for the convention are ongoing, although key details such as the venue and delegate composition remain undisclosed. The faction maintains that the exercise will proceed in line with earlier communications submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, INEC has cautioned against proceeding with the convention, citing a subsisting court order directing all parties involved in the leadership dispute to maintain the status quo. The commission warned that any action taken in violation of the order could be rendered invalid by the courts, drawing parallels with past electoral disputes.
Efforts to organise the convention have also been overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding logistics and security, particularly with the venue yet to be publicly announced. Meanwhile, Transcorp Hilton Abuja has denied claims that it cancelled a booking for the event, describing the allegation as unfounded.
At the state level, the crisis has manifested in multiple factional leaderships emerging from parallel congresses. In Edo and Enugu states, as many as three different chairmen emerged from rival exercises, while factions in Kaduna clashed over whether the congress should proceed.
In Ondo State, competing factions conducted separate congresses, producing different leaders, despite directives to suspend the process. Similarly, in Ogun State, rival groups held parallel congresses, each claiming legitimacy.
The situation in Adamawa State took a different turn, as a High Court ordered the suspension of all congress activities pending the determination of a suit filed by aggrieved party members.
Amid the turmoil, the ADC has continued efforts to strengthen alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Mark-led faction recently held talks with leaders of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), aimed at fostering a united opposition front.
With internal divisions deepening and legal uncertainties unresolved, the fate of the ADC’s national convention — and the party’s broader cohesion — remains uncertain.
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2026-04-11
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