INEC Fuels ADC Chaos, Rejects David Mark’s Committee

INEC Defies ADC NEC, Retains Nwosu as Chairman on Official Portal

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

Abuja, Nigeria – August 6, 2025

The lingering leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a fresh twist this week as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) maintained Ralph Okey Nwosu as the party’s National Chairman on its official portal, despite a formal transition of leadership announced by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in July.

The Merit Newspaper reports that the NEC had earlier appointed a new caretaker committee, led by former Senate President David Mark, with former Minister Rauf Aregbesola also named among the new leaders. This followed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the outgoing leadership and the new interim executives, signaling a strategic shift in the party’s direction.

However, checks on INEC’s website as of Wednesday, August 6, show that Ralph Nwosu remains listed as the party’s chairman, alongside Said Baba Abdullahi as National Secretary and other past officers—suggesting that INEC has yet to recognize the new leadership.

This move has sparked controversy within political circles, with critics accusing the electoral body of undermining internal party decisions. But Chekwas Okorie, founding chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and a political analyst, defended INEC’s stance. He explained that until the leadership change is ratified through a valid national convention, the commission is bound by law to recognize the existing leadership.

“INEC is correct in maintaining Ralph Okey Nwosu’s name on its records,” Okorie said. “The MoU signed between the former and newly proposed leaders does not override the party’s constitution or the requirements set by the Electoral Act. Only a national convention can validate such a change.”

According to insiders within the ADC, preparations are underway to convene a national convention later this month to formally ratify the new leadership structure. Until then, the party remains in a state of dual leadership—one recognized internally and another externally by Nigeria’s electoral umpire.

Observers fear that the unresolved leadership tussle could weaken the ADC’s organizational strength ahead of the 2027 general elections if not swiftly resolved. The party, once seen as a rising third force in Nigerian politics, has been struggling to maintain cohesion in recent years due to repeated internal wranglings.

For now, INEC’s portal remains unchanged, and Ralph Nwosu continues to hold the symbolic reins of the ADC—at least in the eyes of the electoral body.