The African Democratic Congress’s problem worsened on Tuesday when its State Chairmen Forum accused groups led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala of trying to take over the party from its original members.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, ENigeria Newspaper gathered that the forum’s spokesperson and Abia State chairman, Don Obinna, said that the actions of both sides were part of a coordinated effort to “hijack” the party structure. He said that such moves would not be allowed.
“The people who have called themselves the coalition have no democratic credentials and are only interested in a power grab, as evidenced by the way and manner in which they attempted to hijack our party and throw out the original members,” the forum said on Tuesday.
Through their spokesperson, Don Obinna, the chairmen said that the alleged moves were not legal and that neither side has the right to act on behalf of the party.
They made it clear that any decisions made by the groups are not valid, which distanced the party from a list of politicians who are linked to the coalition.
“We disassociate the ADC from David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Bolaji Abdullahi, Prof. Osunbor and all members of the so-called coalition who attempted to hijack our party and state that all actions taken by them in the name of the ADC are not binding on the ADC,” Obinna said.
The forum also dismissed claims by Nafiu Bala regarding his position within the party, stating that he never held the office he is associated with.
“We disassociate the ADC from the claims of Nafiu Bala and firmly and unequivocally state that he has never held the position of deputy chairman of the ADC,” he added.
Amid the leadership tussle, the chairmen reaffirmed the status of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, describing attempts to expel him as baseless.
“We affirm that our former presidential candidate, Mr Dumebi Kachikwu, is a committed and bona fide member of our party whose purported expulsion by the David Mark-led group was an act of desperation taken too far,” Obinna said.
Backing the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the forum said the commission acted within the law in withdrawing recognition from the feuding factions, citing a subsisting Court of Appeal ruling.
To stabilise the situation, the group announced an interim leadership structure to steer the party pending the resolution of the crisis and the conduct of a national convention.
