ABUJA, Nigeria — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of a sweeping change to its National Working Committee (NWC), as internal power struggles and the party’s adoption as a coalition platform for the 2027 elections deepen.
In a letter dated Tuesday, July 29, 2025, addressed to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ADC founder and former national chairman Ralph Nwosu and party secretary Sai’d Abdullahi submitted the minutes of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held the same day.
According to the letter, the NEC invoked Articles 19(12)(vii) and 19(14) of the ADC Constitution (2022), granting it powers to act with the full authority of the National Convention pending the next convention.
“This submission reflects our continued commitment to transparency, good governance, and adherence to regulatory standards,” the letter stated.
Despite INEC’s supervision of the NEC meeting and formal notification, David Itopa, the ADC’s deputy national welfare secretary, expressed frustration over the commission’s delay in recognising the changes.
“It is disturbing that INEC has yet to update its portal to reflect the change in leadership. Nigerians should ask INEC why it is taking so long,” Itopa wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Last month, prominent political figures across party lines adopted the ADC as the official platform for an emerging opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among the coalition members are:
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Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President
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Peter Obi, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate
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Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna governor
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Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation
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Uche Secondus, ex-PDP national chairman
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Odigie Oyegun, former APC chairman
The interim leadership of the ADC now includes:
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David Mark, former Senate President – Interim Chairman
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Rauf Aregbesola, former Minister of Interior – Interim Secretary
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Bolaji Abdullahi, ex-Minister of Sports – Interim Spokesperson
Nwosu, who endorsed the new structure after the Wednesday, July 2, 2025, resignation of the previous NWC, alleged he was offered three ministerial slots to abandon the party’s transition into an opposition platform.
The move has sparked opposition within ADC ranks.
On Thursday, July 31, 2025, Nafiu Bala, a former gubernatorial candidate in Gombe State, declared himself the new national chairman.
On Monday, August 4, 2025, a group of Concerned State Chairmen of the ADC publicly rejected the coalition, urging members of the alliance to form a new party instead.
“The ADC is not for sale,” the chairmen stated in a communiqué, accusing coalition leaders of attempting a hostile takeover.
