TDThe African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a deepening internal crisis as reports confirm that all ADC State Chairmen have converged in Abuja to align with a factional bloc opposed to Senator David Mark’s leadership.
By implication, the party now appears split into two rival camps: the Legacy ADC and the Coalition ADC.
Edo State Chapter Rejects David Mark-led NWC
In tandem with the rival camps, the Edo State Chapter of the ADC issued a strongly worded press release on Wednesday.
The Chapter declared that it no longer recognizes the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Senator David Mark, insisting that its tenure expired on January 2, 2026.
The statement emphasized that:
- The ADC Constitution does not recognize self-perpetuating leadership.
- The ADC Constitution does not support indefinite caretaker arrangements.
- The ADC Constitution does not grant authority to operate outside its provisions.
“This renders the current NWC constitutionally defective and procedurally invalid,” the Edo State Executive Committee stated.
It added that any directive from the expired NWC is null, void, and of no binding effect.
Factional Split: Legacy vs. Coalition ADC
With State Chairmen now rallying in Abuja against the David Mark-led team, the ADC appears to have fractured into two distinct camps:
- Legacy ADC — aligned with constitutional order and demanding NEC-led leadership.
- Coalition ADC — a factional bloc formed by State Chairmen to challenge the continued operation of the expired NWC.
This development underscores the widening rift within the party, with both sides claiming legitimacy.
Edo ADC’s Position and Demands
The Edo State Chapter outlined its stance:
- Withdrawal of recognition from the David Mark-led NWC.
- Refusal to be bound by any directive from that body.
- Reaffirmation of commitment to the supremacy of the ADC Constitution.
The Chapter demanded the immediate convening of a properly constituted NEC meeting to:
- Assume national leadership within 24 hours.
- Set a clear timetable for a National Convention.
- Restore constitutional order within the party.
Implications for 2027 Elections
“The ADC is not a personal enterprise.
“It is a democratic institution governed by rules, processes, and collective accountability,” the Edo State Chapter warned.
It vowed to resist any attempt to normalize constitutional violations.
With the party now split between Legacy ADC and Coalition ADC, analysts say the crisis could weaken the ADC’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections unless urgent reconciliation efforts are undertaken.
