ABUJA — A fresh leadership crisis has hit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a faction led by its National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Senator David Mark and members of his National Working Committee (NWC) from its official portal.
The faction also issued a stern warning to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to stop parading himself as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections or face legal action.
In a statement released in Abuja, Gombe said a recent court judgment had directed INEC to withdraw recognition from the David Mark-led NWC and invalidate all decisions taken by the committee.
“The legitimate leadership of the African Democratic Congress… hereby calls on INEC to immediately remove the names of Senator David Mark and members of his NWC from the Commission’s portal,” he said.
“INEC is further requested to upload and recognise only the authentic members of the National Working Committee… in strict compliance with the judgment of the Court,” he added.
Gombe maintained that the court ruling nullified all actions and resolutions of the Mark-led leadership, insisting that only his faction represents the lawful structure of the party.
On Atiku, the faction declared that the former presidential candidate has no mandate to speak or act on behalf of the ADC.
“We hereby issue a formal and final warning to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to desist… from parading himself as the Presidential Candidate of the ADC,” the statement said.
“We reiterate… he is not and has never been the Presidential Candidate of the ADC for the 2027 General Elections.”
The faction gave Atiku a seven-day ultimatum to publicly apologise to party members and stakeholders, warning that failure to comply would trigger legal proceedings.
“Failure to comply… we shall seek appropriate legal redress,” Gombe stated.
The group also called on security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate alleged activities of a party figure, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, accusing him of spreading misinformation capable of inciting public unrest.
The development signals a deepening internal rift within the ADC, raising concerns over the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political analysts say the dispute could escalate into a prolonged legal battle if not resolved quickly, particularly with competing claims to party leadership and candidature.
INEC is yet to officially respond to the demands, as stakeholders await clarity on which faction will be recognised as the legitimate leadership of the party.
