Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The political turmoil rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated this week with a stern message from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the opposition party to stop blaming the president and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what the presidency described as the ADC’s “self‑inflicted woes.” Onanuga’s comments came against the backdrop of a leadership crisis that has plunged the ADC into uncertainty, drawn national attention, and sparked competing claims about the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.
Onanuga’s rebuke follows a controversial decision by INEC to derecognise the leadership of the ADC amid ongoing legal disputes over who legitimately controls the party’s structures. The Electoral Commission recently removed the names of the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, from its official portal and announced that it will withhold recognition of any faction until a Federal High Court ruling resolves the dispute. INEC said the action was in compliance with a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the status quo pending full hearing of the substantive case.
The leadership crisis in the ADC predates the INEC decision. It began after internal disagreement over succession following the resignation of key party executives in 2025. Senator Mark’s faction assumed leadership following a National Executive Committee meeting, but a rival camp led by Nafiu Bala Gombe has challenged that succession, claiming that Bala should have assumed control under the party’s constitution. Bala has publicly denied resigning from his position and has rejected reports that he submitted a resignation letter, even as both factions have pursued court action to affirm their claims.
The split erupted into the open this year when the Court of Appeal on March 12 declined to decisively approve either faction’s leadership but urged all parties to maintain existing structures until the court can deliver a full judgment. INEC subsequently removed the official recognition of both factions and said it would not recognise any leadership actions from either side pending the High Court’s determination. The commission also suspended monitoring of conventions or congresses by either group.
Onanuga’s statement reflects the presidency’s position that the root of the ADC’s problems lies in its internal governance failures rather than external interference from the federal government or INEC. He dismissed allegations that President Tinubu or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is targeting the party to weaken it before the 2027 general elections, and urged the ADC leadership to take responsibility for its organisational issues rather than assigning blame to national institutions.
The crisis has drawn sharp headlines and heated reactions across the political spectrum. In a public press conference in Abuja, David Mark, flanked by key party figures, denounced INEC’s actions as unlawful, alleging that the commission has taken sides in an internal dispute and is acting in contempt of a Court of Appeal order to preserve the status quo. Mark accused the electoral body of undermining democratic principles and pursuing what he characterised as a broader agenda to disadvantage opposition parties ahead of the 2027 polls. He called for the resignation or removal of INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan and all national commissioners, claiming that the commission’s actions signal bias and threaten Nigeria’s democratic process.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary also blasted INEC, labelling its decision to remove the party’s leadership names from official records as “criminal and contemptuous,” and argued that the electoral umpire violated a court directive by acting prematurely without awaiting full judicial determination. Critics within the party have insisted that INEC had prior knowledge of the internal leadership dynamics, including correspondence about legitimate leadership transitions, before making the decision.
The ruling APC has responded forcefully to the situation, rejecting the ADC’s conspiracy allegations and attributing the party’s woes to its leadership mismanagement. The APC’s National Publicity Secretary described the ADC as an “assembly of Nigeria’s most confused and desperate politicians,” asserting that INEC’s action was lawful, justified and consistent with democratic practice. According to the APC, the ADC’s inability to manage its internal affairs, including adherence to party constitution and succession protocols, demonstrates that the opposition is “grossly unfit” to be taken seriously by the electorate. APC officials emphasised that the ruling party remains focused on its governing agenda and democratic institutional strengthening, dismissing assertions that it plotted to weaken opposition forces.
Political analysts say the crisis highlights the broader challenges facing opposition parties in Nigeria as the 2027 elections approach. The ADC had been seen by many as a potential platform for consolidating opposition efforts, with high‑profile figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former presidential candidate Peter Obi linked to its ranks. Tensions within the party and disputes over leadership legitimacy have raised concerns about its capacity to present a united front or play a significant role in future political contests. Some analysts note that the visible public acrimony between factions could dampen confidence among supporters and complicate coalition efforts among non‑APC political forces.
The ADC crisis has already led to significant public reaction, including heavy security deployments around INEC headquarters in Abuja amid planned protests by party supporters and allied civil society groups. Thousands gathered to express discontent with the commission’s decision, reflecting deep frustration among parts of the opposition and civil society. Authorities positioned security forces to manage the situation and maintain order, underlining concerns about political tensions spilling into street demonstrations.
Opposition figures outside the ADC have also weighed in. Some coalition partners and political commentators have called for unity among non‑ruling parties, interpreting the crisis as a catalyst for broader cooperation to defend democratic principles and challenge the ruling party’s dominance. Others argue that independent parties must first resolve internal governance challenges before positioning themselves as credible alternatives to the governing APC.
At the centre of the dispute is a constitutional question about internal party governance, leadership legitimacy and institutional boundaries. The courts are now expected to determine which faction, if any, holds rightful authority within the ADC. Their decision will have implications not only for the party’s organisational structure but also for its strategic relevance in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive political landscape. Critics and supporters alike are awaiting judicial guidance, which could clarify the legal standing of conflicting leadership claims and shape the party’s trajectory in the coming months.
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