The African Democratic Congress (ADC), recently adopted as the platform for a coalition of opposition leaders, is facing hurdles as delays by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in recognising its leadership continue to slow its growth.
The party, which is under the interim leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, was launched in March with the backing of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Despite the coalition’s high-profile unveiling, membership into the ADC has remained limited.
Atiku, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last month, has not formally registered with the ADC, while Obi has also withheld membership as his Labour Party battles internal crisis.
A senior coalition member said the delay in INEC’s recognition of Mark’s leadership was stalling activities, adding that the absence of Atiku and Obi’s formal membership had slowed the momentum the party was expected to generate ahead of 2027.
He said, “The ADC remains a formidable platform, but INEC’s delay in recognising David Mark’s leadership is affecting our processes.
“We also expected Atiku, Obi, and others to have joined formally by now to boost confidence and attract supporters. Their delay is slowing momentum.”
In addition to INEC’s delay, the ADC has been dragged into a number of court cases challenging its interim leadership.
One of the suits, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks to restrain Mark from parading himself as National Chairman.
Another, instituted in Lagos, questions the legality of adopting the party as a coalition platform without a national convention.
Party insiders alleged that the litigations were politically motivated and were sponsored to weaken the coalition.
“These litigations are distractions,” one source said. “They consume time, energy, and resources that should have been devoted to building the party nationwide. Clearly, there are people who do not want the ADC to succeed as a united opposition ahead of 2027.”
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, however, said the former Vice President was committed to the coalition.
“Atiku is not contemplating leaving. Registration is ongoing across the country, and his membership will be formalised at the right time. He remains committed to the coalition,” he said.
Efforts to reach Obi’s loyalist, Yunusa Tanko, were unsuccessful.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed fears of crisis, insisting that the coalition remained united and focused.
“We are not disturbed. Atiku and Obi are with the coalition. Everything is on track. We have completed documentation with INEC and are managing our activities with available resources.
“Though we are not a ruling party, we are financially stable and continue to build structures across the country,” Abdullahi said.
