INEC recognises David Mark-led ADC leadership

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the new national working committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The leadership of the ADC has been published on the website of the electoral umpire, with David Mark listed as the national chairman of the party.

In July, opposition politicians and some ADC leaders adopted the party as the coalition platform for the 2027 elections.

Some of the coalition members include Atiku Abubakar; Uche Secondus, former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023; Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation; and Odigie Oyegun, former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mark, the former senate president; Aregbesola, an ex-minister of interior, and Bolaji Abdullahi, a former minister of sports, were appointed interim chairman, secretary, and spokesperson, respectively.

The party also appointed other members to the various NWC positions.

On July 2, Ralph Nwosu, the party’s founder, announced the resignation of the NWC and endorsed the interim leadership headed by Mark.

In late July, the party asked INEC to recognise the new leadership.

But some party stakeholders have opposed the adoption of the ADC as a coalition platform, describing the arrangement as a “hijack”.

Nafiu Bala, a former governorship candidate of the ADC in Gombe, also declared himself the party’s national chairman.

On August 4, a group known as the Concerned State Chairmen of the party asked the coalition members to form a new party, saying the “ADC is not for sale”.