…Factional Leaders, State Chairmen Reject David Mark’s Chairmanship
By Jeremy Fregene
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday formally recognised David Mark as the new National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, named as National Secretary. But rather than settling the matter, the decision has sparked a fresh wave of disputes that underscore the deep divisions tearing through the opposition party.
Mark’s interim leadership emerged after the resignation of long-serving chairman Ralph Nwosu, but was immediately challenged by a faction loyal to former Gombe State governorship candidate, Nafiu Bala. In a statement signed by Bala’s adviser, Dr. Aminu Alhassan, the group dismissed Mark’s claim, calling it “unfounded” and contrary to the ADC constitution. The faction reaffirmed Bala as the legitimate chairman, insisting that only a National Executive Council meeting can properly fill the vacancy created by Nwosu’s exit.
“The ADC’s constitution is unequivocal in stipulating that any individual seeking to assume a leadership role must first be a bona fide member of the party. This fundamental requirement cannot be overlooked or circumvented,” the statement said. It added that Nwosu’s resignation “did not create a free-for-all scenario” but a process to be resolved within the party’s legal framework.
Also rejecting INEC’s position was a coalition of state chairmen under the banner of “Concerned State Chairmen of the ADC.” In a strongly worded statement signed by Amb. Elias Adokwu and Godwin Alaku, the group described the takeover of the party by Mark and others as an “orchestrated political coup” and “a reckless subversion” of the ADC’s constitution. They accused a wider opposition coalition—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ADC—of hijacking the platform through “manipulation and backdoor dealings.”
“We unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms this desperate power grab, which represents not only an aberration of democratic norms but also a grave assault on our collective political values as a nation,” the statement said.
But amid the uproar, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi welcomed the INEC endorsement. Sharing the commission’s updated leadership list on his X account, he wrote simply: “Game on!” According to INEC’s register, the new executive also includes Ibrahim Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
Meanwhile, former lawmaker Dino Melaye, a key figure in the emerging opposition coalition, declared that the ADC is now battle-ready for 2027. Speaking on Arise Television, he warned that the election “will not be a tea party as usual,” predicting that Nigerians would send President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress out of power.