The major challenges facing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in its quest for power in 2027 are beginning to emerge, five weeks after opposition politicians adopted it as their political platform.
A crisis erupted in the party immediately after David Mark, the former Senate President, was named interim national chairman, and Rauf Aregbesola, the former governor of Osun, was appointed national secretary.
Some members of the old leadership have refused to recognise the new executives, with a number of them heading to court to challenge what they call an “illegal takeover”.
Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, is also threatening legal action.
State chairmen in Borno, Benue, and Nasarawa are resisting the Abuja leadership, further deepening the internal divisions.
Findings by The Nation across the states suggest that despite the fanfare that greeted the July 1 adoption of ADC by opposition elements, its structures remain weak in many parts of the country.
In Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, Oyo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Sokoto, Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, and Kebbi, the ADC still operates as a fringe party.
In Ogun, the party has struggled for relevance since its 2019 governorship candidate, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In Ekiti, recent high-profile entrants include Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, former deputy governor; Sikiru Lawal, ex-Labour Party governorship candidate; Dare Abejide, former SSG; Gboyega Aribisogan, ex-speaker; and Segun Akinwunmi, PDP chieftain.
In Osun, Aregbesola is building the ADC around former APC figures such as Najeem Salam, Moshood Adeoti, and Adelowo Adebiyi. However, observers doubt the party’s chances against entrenched APC and PDP structures.
The party is almost non-existent in Enugu, where actor-lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo is its only visible figure, while in Imo, former governor Emeka Ihedioha recently returned to politics through the ADC.
Its popularity in Anambra will be tested in the November 8 governorship election, where John Nwosu, with Ndubuisi Nwobu as running mate, will face Governor Charles Soludo.
Factional battles are ongoing in Abia, with Deacon Iyke Nwoke and Obinna Don-Norman claiming leadership, while in Ebonyi, Linus Okorie and Silas Onu lead the party’s charge.
In Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, has declared his presidential ambition on the party’s platform, but few of his old allies have openly joined.
The party’s structure in Bayelsa is paralysed by leadership disputes, although the national vice-chairman for the south-south, Festus Igbinoba, insists that Tovie Johnny remains the recognised state chairman.
In Edo, the ADC boasts political heavyweights such as John Oyegun, Tom Ikimi, Oserheimen Osunbor, Roland Owie, and Kenneth Imasuagbon — but most are in their seventies or eighties, raising questions over capacity.
In Cross River, former governor Liyel Imoke is coordinating efforts, joined by figures such as Gershom Bassey and Usani Usani, though observers doubt their ability to revive the party’s fortunes.
In Delta, economist Pat Utomi has joined, while in Akwa Ibom, John Akpan Udo-Edehe is leading the charge despite a history of party switches.
In Kaduna, the ADC is beset by internal wrangling as old members resist new entrants aligned to Nasir el-Rufai, former governor, with Salihu Lukman serving as the main spokesperson.
In Kebbi, the party lists Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general, among its ranks, though he has been inactive.
The ADC’s strongest base appears to be Adamawa, where Atiku Abubakar has drawn in figures like Aishatu Ahmed Binani, Jibrilla Bindow, Babachir Lawal, and Abdulazeez Nyako.
In Kogi, House of Representatives member Leke Abejide has resisted the coalition takeover, leading to his suspension by the pro-coalition camp.
Observers say that unless the ADC resolves its leadership crises and strengthens state structures, its 2027 ambition will remain a distant dream.