The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognised the new National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Senate President David Mark.
The updated list of party executives published on INEC’s website shows Mark as national chairman, with former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, serving as national secretary, and ex-Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, as spokesperson.
The development follows the July resignation of the Ralph Nwosu-led leadership and the endorsement of an interim team by key opposition figures who adopted the ADC as a coalition platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
Those backing the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; ex-PDP chairman Uche Secondus; former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and former APC chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.
However, not all stakeholders are on board.
Some members have described the coalition as a hijack of the ADC.
A former governorship candidate in Gombe, Nafiu Bala, has even declared himself national chairman, while a group of state chairmen recently urged coalition leaders to register a new party, insisting that “the ADC is not for sale.”
Despite the divisions, INEC’s recognition of the David Mark-led NWC appears to settle the leadership tussle, at least for now.