ABUJA, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria — The ADC leadership crisis worsened on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Consequently, a party faction completely rejected a recent national convention. Furthermore, the group called the organizers dangerous political merchants.
Dumebi Kachikwu is the 2023 presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress [ADC]. He addressed journalists at a press conference in Abuja. Meanwhile, Kachikwu stated the gathering lacked any legal standing.
Specifically, the event defied a Federal High Court order. The court issued this binding directive on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Therefore, a judge directed all parties to maintain the current situation.
Okay News reports that state chairmen filed this crucial lawsuit. They filed it against David Mark. Mark is a former Senate President of Nigeria.
Defying Court Directives in the ADC Leadership Crisis
Kachikwu strongly condemned the convention organizers. He said, “Yesterday, April 14, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order in the matter between the state chairmen of the ADC and the David Mark-led gang.”
He continued his speech to the journalists. He noted, “The order said maintain status quo ante bellum.” Subsequently, he clarified the exact legal implications.
He added, “This means no congresses or conventions until the matter before the court is adjudicated.” Kachikwu expressed deep anger over the ignored rules. He stated, “Despite this order, the nation witnessed these desperate politicians hold a convention in the name of the African Democratic Congress, knowing that it had no locus before the law.”
Moreover, he questioned their true motives. He asked, “Can men who continue to flout court orders mean well for the ADC or Nigeria?” Then, he answered, “The simple answer is no.”
The politician quickly dismissed the gathering as a blame game. Consequently, he accused opponents of merely criticizing President Bola Tinubu. Tinubu is the current President of Nigeria.
Furthermore, Kachikwu alleged a deliberate political plot. He claimed the group wanted to trigger national disorder. He said, “They have one agenda and one agenda only, and that is to instigate a complete breakdown of law and order in the country through political gangsterism.”
He explained their alleged negative mindset. He added, “Their mission statement is that if we can’t have it, no one else can.” Meanwhile, the ADC leadership crisis remains largely unresolved.
Kachikwu heavily criticized the lack of policy alternatives. He declared, “What we all witnessed yesterday was a blame game show where they all tried to outdo each other on who had the harshest words for President Tinubu and the APC government.”
Historical Comparisons amid the ADC Leadership Crisis
Additionally, he highlighted their failure to provide viable solutions. He stated, “Nowhere in that whole show of shame did you hear any of them offer one suggestion on what they would do better or differently.”
He challenged their political roles directly. He asked, “Isn’t the job of the opposition to counter arguments and proposals?” Thus, he dismissed their political competence completely.
Kachikwu boldly insulted the rival coalition members. He said, “These political merchants are not only clueless but also bereft of ideas.” Furthermore, he compared them to ancient biblical figures.
He stated, “The same way the Pharisees gathered a mob to say give us Barabbas is the way they gathered a mob in 2015 to say, ” Give us Buhari.” Muhammadu Buhari is a former President of Nigeria.
He lamented the previous administration’s lasting impact. He added, “We got Buhari, and for eight years we witnessed a complete grounding of our economy and way of life,”
Presently, the African Democratic Congress faces severe internal divisions. The party formally split into three major factions. Consequently, this complicates the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Factional Divides and Economic Criticisms
David Mark leads one prominent political faction. Nafiu Bala Gombe leads another distinct group. Meanwhile, Dumebi Kachikwu and Kingsley Ogga lead the third faction.
Kingsley Ogga is the party chairman in Kogi State, Nigeria. Currently, each faction claims total legal legitimacy. Therefore, the internal battle continues to escalate daily.
The disputed convention attracted over 3,000 delegates. At the event, delegates ratified a new National Working Committee. David Mark officially leads this newly formed committee.
Furthermore, delegates adopted a revised party constitution. They also approved a new political manifesto. However, Kachikwu completely rejects these sudden organizational changes.
Several notable leaders attended the controversial convention. Rauf Aregbesola is a former governor of Osun State, Nigeria. He warned about the upcoming 2027 elections.
Atiku Abubakar also attended the major event. Abubakar is a former Vice President of Nigeria. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, Nigeria, was also present.
Rotimi Amaechi participated in the meeting as well. Amaechi is a former governor of Rivers State, Nigeria. Together, they heavily criticized the current national administration.
Specifically, they highlighted worsening national insecurity issues. Additionally, they condemned the severe economic hardship. They argued that Nigerians face unprecedented poverty today.
Nevertheless, Kachikwu’s faction maintains a remarkably firm stance. They consider all convention resolutions completely null and void. Ultimately, they await the final court decision.
This situation sets the stage for prolonged conflict. A fierce legal battle will inevitably begin soon. Consequently, the ADC leadership crisis will determine the party’s future.
