…Faction Moves Against Mark, Aregbesola, Writes INEC
By Yinka Giwa
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has commenced the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for its ward, local government, and state congresses, as well as its national convention, despite an intensifying leadership crisis rocking the party.
The development comes amid a deepening power tussle, with a rival faction urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop recognising the leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.
In a notice signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Pa Idigo, and shared on X, the ADC invited interested members to obtain forms to contest for various positions across all levels.
According to the notice, the cost of forms varies depending on the office sought. At the ward level, Expression of Interest Forms cost N2,000, while nomination forms are pegged at N10,000 for Ward Chairman, N5,000 for Ward Secretary, and N3,000 for other positions.
At the local government level, forms for LGA Chairman cost N40,000, LGA Secretary N30,000, and other officers N10,000 each. For state positions, State Chairman forms are priced at N500,000, State Secretary N300,000, while other state offices cost N50,000 each.
The party also fixed a nomination fee of N10,000 per delegate, with each local government expected to produce one delegate.
Aspirants are required to secure a stipulated number of nominators, each of whom must pay a non-refundable fee of N50. Ward Chairman aspirants need ten nominators, while other ward positions require five. At the LGA level, chairmanship aspirants must have twenty nominators spread across the council, while other offices require ten each.
For state positions, chairmanship aspirants are to secure fifty nominators drawn from across the state, with at least one from each local government, while other positions require twenty nominators.
“The sale and submission of forms will close on Friday, March 27, 2026. No late submissions will be accepted. Screening is scheduled for March 30 to 31, 2026,” the notice stated.
However, the exercise is unfolding against the backdrop of a festering leadership dispute that has now drawn in INEC.
A faction led by Nafiu Bala has challenged the legitimacy of the current leadership, insisting that he should be recognised as national chairman following the resignation of former chairman Ralph Nwosu.
The crisis escalated after the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal filed by David Mark against an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The appellate court held that the appeal was procedurally incompetent and directed parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Riding on the court’s pronouncement, Bala, through his counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN), wrote to INEC, asking the commission to withdraw recognition from Mark and former Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as chairman and secretary of the party.
Citing the court’s directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum, Bala’s camp argued that any action recognising the current leadership would undermine ongoing judicial proceedings.
He also urged party members to remain calm and law-abiding amid the uncertainty.
But in a counter move, counsel to the Mark-led leadership, Sulaimon Usman (SAN), advised INEC to disregard Bala’s request, arguing that it would be improper for the commission to recognise any alternative leadership while the matter remains before the court.
Usman maintained that the existing leadership structure, which emerged from a National Executive Committee meeting monitored by INEC in July 2025, remains valid pending the final determination of the case.
The unfolding crisis has cast a shadow over the party’s internal processes, even as it pushes ahead with preparations for its congresses and national convention.