Obinna-led bloc claims legitimate control of party, brands past leadership actions illegal and announces interim structure

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has escalated with the emergence of yet another faction, intensifying the battle for control of the party.

The new bloc, led by Don Norman Obinna, has declared itself the authentic leadership of the ADC, distancing itself from both the Senator David Mark-led opposition coalition and the group aligned with Nafiu Bala.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Obinna and his allies insisted they are the duly elected members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), accusing former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu of overstaying his tenure.

According to the faction, Nwosu’s leadership officially expired in August 2022, and his continued hold on the party sparked a wave of legal disputes. They further described his decision to hand over the party structure to the David Mark-led coalition as “illegal and unconstitutional.”

In a series of sweeping resolutions, the group formally disowned key figures and rival blocs within the party.

They rejected any affiliation with Senator David Mark and his coalition, insisting they are not members of the ADC and lack the authority to represent the party. The faction also dismissed Nafiu Bala’s claims to leadership, stating he never held the position of National Vice Chairman.

Reaffirming internal loyalties, the Obinna-led group recognised the party’s former presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, as a legitimate member of the ADC.

To consolidate its position, the faction announced the appointment of an interim leadership team tasked with managing the party’s affairs pending the conduct of a national convention.

The latest development underscores deepening divisions within the ADC, as multiple factions continue to lay claim to its leadership and legitimacy.