There is palpable trouble for David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, as Dumebi Kachikwu clinched the presidential ticket of the opposition party under a rival faction.
Nigerian Newssphere reports that Kachikwu, who was the party presidential flagbearer for 2023 general elections, emerged victorious at a parallel national convention conducted at the weekend in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Kachikwu said, “For too long, politics has benefited only a few while the majority of Nigerians continue to suffer. That must change.”
The Board of Trustees chairman and national chairman of the ADC faction, Kingsley Ogga and Abdulkadir Mohammed Bashir, said the party has emerged stronger despite challenges in the last months.
The development comes at a time former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen battle for the presidential ticket at the presidential primary of the David Mark-led ADC.
Nigerian Newssphere reports that on April 30, 2026, the Supreme Court set aside a court of appeals order used by the Independent National Electoral Commission to derecognize David Mark-led ADC leadership.
However, a senior advocate of Nigeria, Oba Maduabuchi, said the Supreme Court judgment does not warrant celebration from Mark-led ADC leadership.
Meanwhile, in a different suit in court, the Kachikwu-backed faction of ADC had challenged the authenticity of Mark-led leadership.
Earlier, the Nafiu Bala Gombe faction of the ADC had also claimed to be the legitimate leadership of the opposition party.
Recall that on the weekend, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as the winner of the ruling All Progressives Congress presidential primary with over 10 million votes.
In his acceptance speech, Tinubu said his administration will not allow an opposition party without a clear vision to take over the country.
