A fierce internal crisis has rocked the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as opposition heavyweights David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola were installed into new leadership roles—prompting accusations of a civilian coup, a petition to INEC, and claims of backdoor deals to hijack the party ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election.
Power Grab or Party Reform?
At a closed-door meeting of key opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, el-Rufai, and Amaechi, ADC was adopted as their vehicle for the 2027 election. Immediately after, David Mark was named interim Chairman, while Rauf Aregbesola took the role of interim National Secretary. Other notable appointments included Bolaji Abdullahi as Publicity Secretary. Critics describe the shift as a carefully orchestrated “coup” — not reform.
Petition & Lawsuits Emerge
Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 ADC presidential candidate, alongside five state chairmen, declared the move illegal—claiming it bypassed constitutional process and democracy. They have officially petitioned INEC and filed court proceedings to challenge the faction. Transparency demands and grassroot mobilisation forms a central pillar of their pushback.
Kachikwu insists:
“They were not appointed on WhatsApp or Facebook—they were elected by the people.”
“We remain ready to go to court; INEC, the courts, and Nigerians are watching.”
Conspiracy Over Southern Injustice & Atiku Favoritism
The dissenters allege the coalition’s hidden agenda is to propel a northern candidate, notably Atiku Abubakar—while shutting out southern contenders entirely, even though ADC has tradition of presenting a southern flagbearer after Buhari’s tenure. The narrative suggests the takeover is less about unity and more about elite power re-entry.
INEC’s Role Under Scrutiny
Some factions are calling out INEC for validation failures, alleging the Commission recognized parallel and invalid leadership—nothing new given past controversies around ex-chairman Ralph Nwosu’s appointments. ADC insiders say INEC ignored appeal court rulings favoring existing structures. The matter now hangs on INEC’s next actions.
Pro-Coalition Defenders Strike Back
Not everyone opposes the shake-up. ADC officials like Plateau Chairperson Hanatu Gagara praised it as overdue, historic change. Voices like former Minister Solomon Dalung say the transition followed due process, with input from the party’s Board of Trustees.
This crisis comes as the opposition rallies around ADC as its strategic platform to defeat APC’s Bola Tinubu in 2027. The move echoes past coalition feats (notably APC’s 2015 victory) — but unlike that successful collaboration, ADC is now splintered between constitutional rebels and establishment loyalists.
As the drama unfolds, many Nigerians view ADC as the last hope for a unified opposition. But now the party itself is marred by factional war. With legal filings looming and INEC’s neutrality in question, the ADC crisis may well determine whether the opposition can present a credible challenge in 2027—or collapse under elite interference and covert deals.
