ADC Faction Dissolves David Mark-Led NWC, Names Kachikwu Sole 2027 Presidential Candidate

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) loyal to former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu has announced the dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by David Mark, deepening the party’s ongoing internal crisis.

The group made the announcement during its national convention held in Abuja on Sunday, where delegates from across the country also ratified a newly formed executive committee to steer the affairs of the faction.

At the gathering, Abdulkadir Bashir was named national chairman, while Johnny Derek emerged as deputy national chairman. Other key appointments include Kennedy Odion as national secretary, Joe Aro as national treasurer, Chris Ugwu as national publicity secretary, and Elias Adikwu as national organising secretary. Patrick Ambut was named national chief whip, and Adamu Sahad was appointed deputy national chairman (Ethics). Kingsley Oggah was also named chairman of the faction’s Board of Trustees.

The African Democratic Congress African Democratic Congress remains divided into multiple competing blocs, including the David Mark-led faction, the Nafiu Bala group, and the Dumebi Kachikwu-aligned faction, each laying claim to the party’s authentic leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

The leadership tussle has continued in court, with rival factions challenging each other over control of the party structure. The Independent National Electoral Commission Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier suspended recognition of all factional executives following a Court of Appeal ruling, directing all sides to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of ongoing litigation at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, INEC later updated its register in April to recognise the David Mark-led leadership, which includes former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.

During Sunday’s convention, a motion to adopt the newly constituted executive was moved by the ADC chairman in Delta State, Austin Okolie, and seconded by his Jigawa counterpart, Kabiru Hussaini. The motion was unanimously approved through a voice vote, after which the new officials were sworn in.

In his acceptance speech, newly elected factional chairman Abdulkadir Bashir criticised the David Mark-led leadership, accusing it of bias and self-interest, while pledging to run an inclusive administration.

In a major political move, the faction also declared Dumebi Kachikwu Dumebi Kachikwu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The announcement was made by the chairman of the Electoral Committee on Presidential Primaries, Elias Adikwu, who said Kachikwu emerged as the consensus candidate of the faction. Kachikwu, who previously served as the party’s presidential flagbearer in 2023, is expected to lead the faction’s campaign into the next election cycle.