…Insist Non-Members Cannot Hold Party Positions Amid Rising Internal Tensions
By Jeremy Fregene
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing fresh internal rifts as its 2023 governorship candidates have thrown their weight behind the party’s old leadership structure, insisting that only registered members can hold positions within its hierarchy.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on behalf of his colleagues, Benue State’s 2023 governorship candidate, Engr Terhemen Tilley-Gyado, said the endorsement of Deputy National Chairman Hon. Nafiu Bala as acting national chairman followed the constitution after Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu’s voluntary resignation. He warned coalition partners to respect due process amid growing unease over the role of high-profile political figures in the party’s affairs.
The candidates specifically urged prominent coalition leaders — including Atiku Abubakar, Chibuike Amaechi, Peter Obi, David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai, Abubakar Malami SAN, and Rauf Aregbesola — to formally resign from their former political parties and register at ward level if they wish to assume leadership positions in the ADC. “We welcome all constructive partnerships anchored on transparency, legality, and shared vision,” Tilley-Gyado said.
The position comes as several former members of ADC have come together to resist the new leadership of the coalition partners, led by Senator David Mark as Interim National Chairman, and Rauf Aregbesola, as Interim National Secretary. This has raised concerns about the ability of the party to to be a credible vehicle for the coalition partners seeking to oust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office in the 2027 Presidential Election.
Meanwhile, interim national chairman,Mark, has pledged to prioritise youth inclusion in governance, promising that at least 35% of leadership positions will go to women and Nigerians under 40. Speaking at an International Youth Day event organised by the ADC’s National Youth Leader, Mark, represented by former APC national vice chairman (North-West) Salihu Lukman, vowed to revitalise the party’s grassroots structures and reject imposition or politics without accountability.
Mark told youths that the ADC is “your home” and promised genuine inclusion rather than tokenism. “Our candidate selection and leadership roles will reflect our commitment to equality of opportunity, progressive policies, and patriotic governance,” he said.
National Youth Leader Balarabe Rufai reinforced the party’s pledge, saying ADC would champion job creation in agro-processing, renewable energy, and tech start-ups, while funding education and strengthening local security. He challenged young Nigerians to confront policy failures that have left over 70% of the population under 35 facing economic stagnation, food inflation, and high unemployment.
National Treasurer Dr Mani Ahmad urged youths to take ownership of political spaces, saying the ADC’s welfare ideology aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Don’t keep quiet. Demand spaces in local governance and partner with NGOs, faith-based groups, and local businesses to implement SDG-focused projects,” he said.