ADC ENUGU STATE CHAPTER AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR DAVID MARK, CALLS FOR ORGANISING SECRETARY’S RESIGNATION

ADC ENUGU STATE CHAPTER AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR DAVID MARK, CALLS FOR ORGANISING SECRETARY’S RESIGNATION

Enugu, Nigeria — In a significant development amid a brewing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party’s Enugu State chapter has publicly endorsed the leadership of Senator David Mark as the rightful head of its National Working Committee (NWC) and demanded the resignation of the party’s National Organising Secretary, accusing him of engaging in anti‑party activities that undermine the party’s unity and democratic processes.

This endorsement comes at a time of intense internal disputes within the ADC, a political party that has been thrust into the spotlight following a recent Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) decision to withdraw official recognition of its national leadership structures pending ongoing litigation. The move by the Enugu chapter signals a deepening divide between state and national factions within the party as it positions itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Enugu State chapter’s declaration expresses unequivocal confidence in Senator Mark’s leadership, affirming that his stewardship of the ADC remains legitimate and in the best interests of party members across the region. The chapter’s executive council stated that recent controversies, including legal challenges and oppositional rhetoric, should not detract from Mark’s mandate to lead the party and prepare it for upcoming electoral contests. Their position underscores the belief that internal disagreements must be resolved through established party mechanisms rather than external interventions or procedural ambiguities.

Central to the Enugu chapter’s public stance was a call for the immediate resignation of the party’s National Organising Secretary, whose actions were described as “anti‑party” and detrimental to the ADC’s cohesion. While the chapter did not detail specific infractions, it argued that the organising secretary’s conduct has contributed to factionalism and hindered efforts to maintain a unified front. The demand for resignation reflects broader frustrations among state party leaders who have accused certain national officers of deviating from agreed party protocols and undermining internal democratic norms.

The leadership dispute arises against the backdrop of a protracted struggle over control of the ADC. Senator Mark, a former Senate President and long‑standing figure in Nigerian politics, assumed leadership of the party in 2025 as part of a broader coalition of opposition figures seeking to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress. The ADC’s high‑profile coalition has attracted prominent politicians from across the national political spectrum and positioned the party as a potential vehicle for change in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.

However, the ADC’s internal dynamics have been turbulent. A faction of state chairmen recently emerged to contest Mark’s leadership, asserting that his assumption of the party’s top post did not strictly adhere to constitutional provisions governing membership and tenure. That bloc of state leaders has moved to establish an interim leadership structure, aligning itself with INEC’s recent actions and questioning the legitimacy of the existing national leadership. This has triggered parallel claims to authority and intensified the party’s leadership crisis.

In response, Senator Mark and his allies have rejected claims of illegitimacy, maintaining that the processes leading to his appointment were valid and that dissenting factions lack constitutional grounding. Mark has also sought to quell rumours about his position, publicly affirming that he remains the national chairman of the ADC and has no intention of stepping down, dismissing speculation to the contrary as misinformation.

Adding to the complexity of the crisis was a dramatic public protest staged by members of the Mark‑aligned faction in Abuja, during which party leaders marched to the headquarters of INEC to contest the electoral body’s recent interventions. In a petition submitted to the commission, ADC officials accused the INEC chairman of constitutional overreach and called for his resignation. The protest, which drew support from several opposition figures allied with the ADC coalition, highlighted growing tensions between the party and Nigeria’s electoral authority.

The Enugu State chapter’s endorsement of Mark now places regional party leaders openly at odds with rival power bases within the ADC, deepening the rift over both leadership legitimacy and strategic direction. By demanding the organising secretary’s resignation, the Enugu leadership has signalled that accountability and adherence to party discipline remain priorities even as the broader crisis unfolds.

Analysts note that the internal conflict threatens to weaken the ADC’s capacity to mobilise effectively ahead of 2027, particularly given Nigeria’s highly competitive political environment. A divided opposition could struggle to present a unified challenge to the incumbent government, especially if internal schisms spill over into legal battles or public dissent that distract from campaign objectives.

The Enugu chapter’s statement suggests a belief that reaffirming support for Mark is the best route to restoring stability. It reflects confidence that consolidating around established leadership will help mitigate factional tensions and provide clarity as the party navigates both internal disputes and interactions with regulatory institutions.

Looking forward, the resolution of these disputes may depend on a combination of judicial outcomes, internal party negotiations, and strategic decisions by key political actors. For now, the Enugu ADC chapter has made its position clear: it backs David Mark’s leadership and insists that those perceived to be undermining the party must step aside in the interest of unity and forward momentum.

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