The group, led by Norman Obinna, said it represents the party’s legitimate National Executive Committee (NEC).
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deepened on Tuesday as a new faction surfaced, disowning the David Mark-led leadership and throwing its support behind the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group, led by Norman Obinna, said it represents the party’s legitimate National Executive Committee (NEC), claiming its mandate followed an emergency meeting held on April 7.
In a strongly worded statement, the faction dismissed opposing camps, accusing them of lacking a proper understanding of the party’s internal dynamics.
“Ignorance is not only a disease, but also a crime,” the group said.
“We have watched with amusement how a few Nigerians with no real understanding of issues concerning our party, the ADC, have jumped in with emotions devoid of reasoning and understanding.”
Taking a definitive position on the ongoing dispute, the faction threw its weight behind INEC’s intervention in the crisis.
“We therefore wish to correct a lot of misinformation out there in the public domain. But before doing this, we want to say we are in total support of INEC’s position on this matter and commend them on their bravery in finally doing what is right,” it stated.
The Obinna-led group also announced its withdrawal from the coalition associated with the Mark camp, insisting that decisions taken under that structure are null and void within the ADC.
It further dismissed claims about Nafiu Bala’s status in the party, maintaining that he never held the position being attributed to him, while reaffirming Dumebi Kachikwu’s membership.
Obinna alleged that the struggle for control of the party was being driven by personal ambition rather than ideology.
“The ADC is also not for sale,” he said.
He accused the rival coalition of lacking democratic legitimacy, alleging that its actions point to an attempt to hijack the party’s structure.
“They have no democratic credentials and are only interested in the power grab, as evidenced by the way and manner in which they attempted to hijack our party and throw out the original members.”
The faction said it has put in place interim leadership to manage party affairs pending the conduct of a national convention.
It also called on INEC to formally recognise its leadership, urging the electoral body to “accord them the necessary recognitions and support in order to save the African Democratic Congress from total collapse.”
The development adds to the deepening crisis within the ADC, which escalated after INEC withdrew recognition of the Mark-led structure amid conflicting court orders and legal claims, further fragmenting the party ahead of future political alignments.