ADC Leadership Crisis Worsens as Third Faction Emerges, Rejects Mark and Bala Camps

 The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has deepened significantly, with the emergence of a third faction that has rejected both the Senator David Mark-led coalition and the group associated with Nafiu Bala Gombe.

The new faction, which claims to represent the authentic National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, surfaced on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, during a press conference in Abuja. It is reportedly loyal to Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate. Spokesperson Don Norman Obinna (Abia State Chairman) led the announcement, declaring that the group is stepping in to manage the party’s affairs and prepare for a national convention to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC).6507f8

The faction named Kingsley Temitope, Kogi State Chairman, as interim national chairman and distanced itself from both rival camps. It backed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent de-recognition of the David Mark-led leadership, describing actions taken by that group as illegal and unrecognized.

Background of the Crisis

The ADC has been embroiled in internal turmoil since July 2025, when a coalition involving opposition figures took over the party structure, positioning it as a potential platform for a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Senator David Mark emerged as a key figure in the caretaker leadership.

However, disputes quickly arose. Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former deputy national chairman, challenged Mark’s appointment, insisting he is the rightful acting national chairman under the party’s constitution. The crisis escalated further when INEC reportedly delisted or refused to recognize certain leaders from the Mark faction, citing unresolved internal issues and a December 2022 court ruling that nullified the tenure of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.

Claims of the Third Faction

In their statement, the new group (often referred to as the Kachikwu or Obinna-led faction) argued that:

Ralph Nwosu’s tenure as national chairman expired in August 2022.

Neither the Mark-led coalition nor the Bala faction emerged through a legitimate process.

The NEC remains the highest decision-making body of the party.

They plan to convene a proper national convention to resolve the leadership vacuum and reconstitute the NWC.