ADC NEC takes over party administration, sets up interim leadership

Tracing the origin of the crisis, the NEC said the tenure of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, expired in August 2022, leading to a series of disputes.

They cited a Federal High Court ruling delivered in December 2022 which affirmed that the tenure had lapsed and nullified actions taken thereafter.

“His refusal to step down led to a series of litigations and rulings that his tenure had indeed expired and that any action taken were null and void," emphasised, adding that the vacuum created by the leadership crisis left it as the only constitutionally recognised authority within the party.

“In the absence of the National Working Committee, the NEC remains the only authority to speak on behalf of the party," Obinna said.

The NEC also noted that the party’s Board of Trustees is currently inactive following resignations, leaving administrative responsibility with elected officials in line with the constitution.

Reaffirming its position, the NEC described its intervention as a necessary step to restore order, “Our focus is to stabilise the party, restore due process and prepare it for future elections,” Obinna said.

While rejecting claims by rival groups, accusing them of attempting to take control of the party, Obinna noted, “We dissociate from all members of the so-called coalition who attempted to hijack our party and state that all actions taken by them are not binding on the ADC.”

They, however, maintained that the party has no faction, “The ADC has no faction, we are the elected NEC members and the only group that has an existing tenure,” Obinna said, explaining that the intervention of the NEC was driven by urgency, warning that continued instability could affect the party’s electoral participation.

“If we don’t take action now, we will not be able to field candidates and any political party that does not have seats will be displaced. The goal is to reposition the party and maintain its relevance.

“We are trying to save the party from immediate danger so that Nigerians will see a party to rely on.

“ADC has won elections, so we cannot just watch our efforts go down the drain because two individuals are fighting for the party,” Obinna said.

On the interim committee, Obinna said the structure would oversee the party’s daily operations pending the emergence of a new National Working Committee within two to three weeks.

“We have appointed members to manage the day-to-day affairs of the party pending the election of a new leadership," he said.

The NEC urged INEC to recognise the interim arrangement as part of efforts to stabilise the party.

Beyond the leadership dispute, the committee alleged constitutional violations and procedural lapses by the National Working Committee, particularly its failure to convene statutory meetings.

“It is the duty of the NWC to make decisions, but it is also the responsibility of the NEC to correct them.

“Since the emergence of the current NWC, no NEC meeting has been held. That alone raises questions about the legitimacy of actions taken, including the congresses said to be holding,” Ogah said.

He argued that the absence of properly convened meetings invalidates recent congresses, saying, “You cannot conduct congresses while tenures are still running. The process requires dissolution of existing executives before new ones are elected. 

"That has not happened and that is why several state chairmen had formally dissociated themselves from the exercise".

The NEC also questioned past leadership decisions, including alleged disruptions of meetings and tenure extensions granted without broad consensus, describing some conventions as unrecognised within the party structure.

Despite the disputes, the committee defended its plan to proceed with a fresh convention, saying it is necessary to maintain the party’s electoral viability.

“The objective is to ensure the party remains functional and can field candidates. The electoral process requires properly constituted party structures. We cannot afford to be left out,” it said

On litigation, the NEC confirmed that state chairmen had approached the courts to seek interpretation of the party’s constitution, particularly on which organ has the authority to conduct congresses.

“We are not acting against any court order. The issues are already before the court, and we will abide by its decision,” the Obinna said.

The group denied allegations of external sponsorship, describing them as unfounded while noting that attempts were made to resolve the crisis through dialogue before resorting to legal action.

“We engaged widely and sought reconciliation. When that failed, we approached the courts for clarity,” Obinna said.

All efforts to obtain reactions from the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, as well as former National Vice Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, were unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report, as their phone lines could not be reached.