Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) loyal to its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, on Sunday dissolved the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Senate President David Mark and formally adopted Kachikwu as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The decision was taken at the faction’s national convention and presidential primary held at A-Class Event Centre in Abuja, where delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ratified the adoption through a voice vote. The group subsequently elected a new set of national officers to replace the dissolved NWC, with Alhaji Abdulkadir Mohammed Bashir emerging as the new National Chairman.
The Chairman of the ADC State Chairmen Forum, Kingsley Oggah, who was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, described the convention as a defining moment for the party, saying it had shown resilience despite internal challenges. Bashir, the newly elected National Chairman, urged members to respect the party’s constitution and avoid actions capable of deepening divisions, stating that no individual is bigger than the party. The new National Working Committee members elected at the convention include Kingsley Oggah (BoT Chairman, North‑Central); Alhaji Abdulkadir Mohammed Bashir (National Chairman, North‑West); Johnny Tovie Derek (Deputy National Chairman, South‑South); Kennedy O. Odion (National Secretary); Dr. Joe Aroh (National Treasurer, South‑South); Chief Amirigoye (National Financial Secretary, South‑West); Dr. Chris Ugwu (National Legal Adviser, South‑East); Elias Adikwu (National Organising Secretary, North‑Central); and Patrick Ambut (National Chief Whip, North‑West).
The Electoral Committee Chairman and Benue State party chairman, Elias Adikwu, announced Kachikwu’s adoption before Bashir presented him with the party’s flag as a symbol of his mandate to lead the party in the forthcoming election. In his acceptance speech, Kachikwu thanked party leaders, members, state chairmen and his family for supporting his aspiration. He said Nigeria was at a critical stage and needed strong leadership to address insecurity, unemployment, economic hardship and division. “The common man remains the backbone of our democracy, and it is because of them that I proudly accept this presidential nomination,” he stated. Kachikwu criticised past policies that restricted technological advancement and promised to dismantle “mediocrity in governance” by investing heavily in education, technology, innovation and youth development. He vowed to strengthen the military and intelligence operations against criminal networks, while also prioritising agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare and public education.
Speaking to journalists at the convention, Kachikwu reiterated that the ADC was “not for sale” and would field a presidential candidate in 2027. He declared that “those who tried to hijack our party have been shown the way out through the same back door they came in”. The former ADC presidential candidate had previously accused the David Mark‑led leadership of undermining the party, describing them as “political buccaneers” who attempted to seize the party’s structure through unconstitutional means.
The development signals a deepening power struggle within the ADC, with rival blocs laying claim to the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle. Recall that the David Mark‑led ADC held its own national convention in Abuja on April 14, 2026, where over 1,000 delegates voted to ratify amendments to the party’s constitution and confirm the former Senate President as the substantive National Chairman. That convention also expelled factional chairman Nafiu Bala and other members for taking internal disputes to court. Earlier, Kachikwu’s faction had announced plans to hold a parallel convention on May 24 to elect its presidential candidate, following a Federal High Court judgment that nullified congresses conducted by the David Mark‑led faction. The court had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising any congresses organised by Mark’s group.
The convention attracted party stakeholders, delegates and supporters from across the country. As the 2027 elections approach, the ADC’s internal conflict appears far from resolved, with two major factions now claiming legitimacy to present presidential candidates. The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
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