ADC Crisis: Kachikwu Slams INEC Over Recognition of David Mark as Party Chairman

The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has strongly criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognising former Senate President David Mark as the party’s national chairman.

Speaking on *Politics Today* on Channels Television, Kachikwu described INEC’s move as "irresponsible" and accused the electoral body of interfering in a matter still pending before the courts.

“Nigerians know that the David Mark-led faction is on borrowed time,” he said. “When cases are in court, you don’t take steps that could preempt the outcome.”

The court is scheduled to hear the case between the Kachikwu-led faction and the Mark-led group next month.

Kachikwu also criticised the coalition of opposition politicians backing Mark, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and others, accusing them of recycling failed leadership.

“These are people who led Nigeria into the current mess. They have no solutions, yet they want to ‘rescue’ a nation they helped destroy,” he said. “Our generation and the next have capable leaders who can do better.”

INEC had officially listed Mark as chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary of the ADC following a leadership change on July 2, 2025. The change was endorsed by a coalition of political heavyweights from various parties.

However, Kachikwu’s camp insists the leadership tussle is unresolved and must be settled in court.

In response, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed claims of any restraining order, stating that the Federal High Court in Abuja had merely asked parties to appear and show cause, adjourning the case to September 15.

Abdullahi also accused those opposing the new leadership of spreading misinformation after failing to block INEC’s recognition.

“Having failed through legal channels, they are now resorting to fake news and misrepresentation of court rulings,” he said.

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