There are indications that the ongoing dispute in the leadership of African Democratic Congress (ADC) may lead to the formation of a 10-party coalition, far bigger than what was initially envisaged, reports quoting sources close to the opposition have said.

The Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC was removed from the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on account of what the election umpire said was its interpretation of the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed it to maintain status quo ante bellum in a suit involving the Mark-led executive and Nasiru Bala Gombe, a claimant to the national chairmanship seat of the party.

While Senator Mark-led team has argued that the said Bala Gombe lacks the locus standi to institute the suit or lay claim to the party’s chairmanship seat, having resigned his position in May 2025, INEC insisted it would no longer recognise either of the parties in the ADC.

Following the imbroglio, a source, however, said that those pushing the ADC might end up leading it to a bigger coalition, as the development has opened the eyes of many opposition leaders to the possibility of a broader coalition.

Last week, leaders of the ADC engaged a group of leaders from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), while it also engaged with leaders of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), aside from what was called ongoing cross-party discussions with the newly formed National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“What we are seeing is that the loss of ADC on one hand could be the gain of the opposition in this country. What those fighting the ADC don’t know is that you cannot keep the people silent when they are determined to exercise their rights of association. The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027 with a coalition bigger than earlier envisaged,” a source in the know stated.

The source stated that already, the ADC coalition looks good to benefit from the travails of the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP, as well as the resolve of members of other parties whose leaders believe they can benefit from a broad-based coalition in 2027.

It has earlier been reported that the attempt by the leaders of the ADC to rally a strong party behind the possible choice of former President Goodluck Jonathan or in the alternative, a Peter Obi/Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket, is upsetting the ruling party, whose strategists were said to have activated cells of internal opposition within the emerging coalition.

A leader of the ADC, however, said that those pursuing the coalition party are surely pushing it into better things. The way things are going, we may end up with at least a 10-party coalition. That would be bigger than what we initially set out to do,” the source stated, adding that such a development would amount to a masterstroke against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he said had chosen to interpret the court ruling awkwardly.

By Eric Elezuo

On April 1, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by its Law Professor Chairman, Joash Amupitan, threw a shocker at Nigerians, derecognising the David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola led-leadership of the hitherto main opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The announcement has since generated chain reactions across board in the Nigerian body policy, creating divisive opinions for and against the electoral body.

Among other factors, the announcement put a question mark on the already planned April 14, 2026 National Convention of the ADC, prompting a question mark on whether or not the convention will hold as planned.

INEC had through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, announced the Commission’s decision to withdraw their recognition of the ADC leadership, with special emphasis to the Chairman, Senator David Mark and Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement.

It hinged its decision on a court order which directed the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit challenging the legality of David Mark’s leadership of the opposition party. But the maintenance of status quo was variously interpreted by interested parties to suit their various whims and caprice.

But the ADC has insisted on proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention despite the controversy surrounding its derecognition by INEC, a move the body said would amount to nullify if embarked upon.

ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, announced this while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, citing the party’s current leadership struggle.

Abdullahi stated that the party had already given INEC the required 21-day notice for its operations and that the commission acknowledged receipt of the notice.

He maintained that the ADC would not halt its internal processes regardless of INEC’s position, stressing that the party remains committed to carrying out its congresses and convention as scheduled.

The spokesman also expressed concern over what he described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democracy, warning against attempts to limit political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The electoral authority has also announced that it will not accept Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through the court.

He said, “If we’re in a military regime, we can understand it. We are finding ourselves in a situation where everything is being done to ensure that the election in 2027 is a fait accompli and that Nigerians will be left with no option or no choice. We’ve seen how this has ended in the past.

“So we are saying that we will go ahead with our congresses. We have given INEC 21 days’ notice. They have accepted the notice.

“So whether they come or not, we’ll continue with our congresses; we’ll continue with our convention.

“We are all Nigerians. We can see what is going on. We can see our democracy unravelling before our very eyes.”

Consequently, with only a few days left before the stipulated date for the convention, the ADC has gone ahead to set up a 361-man convention planning committee that would soon be inaugurated.

If hitches or changes do not occur in the coming moments, the former governor of Cross River State, Leyel Imoke will lead the 361-member National Convention Central Coordination Committee of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC.

Sources within the party informed that preparations for the convention were in full swing, with several committees already constituted to handle key aspects of the event.

The speedy plans attached to the Convention is borne out of the fact that the Mark-led NWC has rejected INEC’s interpretation of the judgement and insisted that it would proceed with the planned national convention and other internal party processes.

Prominent political figures backing the Mark camp including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; formwr Anambra State governor, and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 ele tions, Peter Obi; former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi; former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, had staged a protest to challenge INEC’s position.

Information reaching The Boss noted also that personalities like former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha; former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuba; FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe and other prominent members of the ADC have been listed to play key roles in the planning of the convention.

But fresh evidence coming from several sources has noted that the state congresses sheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026, have been stalled, no thanks to the leadership crisis rocking the party amid internal wrangling and legal hurdles.

As at today, crises have fragmented the party into three camps led by former Senate President David Mark, former deputy National chairman, Nafiu Gombe and a bloc spearheaded by some state ADC chairmen, and led by the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Dumebi Kachikwu. This fragmentation has been the major reason that for the consequent de-recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee by the INEC.

While some states have announced the suspension of their congresses, a few states have vowed to proceed with the election ahead of the party’s convention.

On Thursday, a faction led by Gombe stormed the INEC headquarters in Abuja, demanding formal recognition.

Gombe, accompanied by a Rep member from Kogi State, Leke Abejide, and hundreds of supporters, accused the David Mark-led leadership of attempting to hijack the party’s leadership in defiance of its constitution and internal processes.

Addressing officials of the electoral body during the protest, a barely-able-to-express-himself Gombe insisted that due process must be followed in resolving the leadership dispute.

Reading a prepared text, he said, “We are here to urge INEC to follow due process. You cannot come to the ADC through the window and expect to overturn the owners of the ADC. As democrats, we don’t want any moneybags to come and destroy democracy. The ADC is for all Nigerians from wards, states, to the national level.”

Also speaking, Abejide, who had said he would quit the ADC if the Mark NWC is finally recognised, called on the commission to resist what he described as an attempted takeover of the party, stressing that the ADC constitution clearly outlines eligibility requirements for leadership positions.

“We are here to urge INEC to do the right thing and rescue democracy from the hands of usurpers. How do you come to a party and attempt to hijack the leadership on the same day? Which political platform is that done?

“The party constitution is clear about this. You have to spend at least two years in the ADC as an active member before you can aspire for any position. The commission has not erred. These people are hijackers, and INEC must follow through on reverting to status quo ante bellum by recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as the national chairman of the party,” he said.

Abejide has also filed a case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking the permanent removal of Mark and Aregbesola as leaders of the party. Hearing comes up on Monday, April 13.

Similarly, the ADC Director of Youths and Mobilisation, Mohammed Sahad, commended INEC for complying with a court order, but urged the commission to go further by affirming Gombe’s leadership.

“INEC has not erred in any way. In fact, we commend the commission for obeying the court order. But they need to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe as the authentic national chairman of the ADC. INEC needs to do the right thing and do it now. That is why we are here,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the commission, INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, assured the protesters that their concerns would be reviewed.

“I am here on behalf of the chairman, and I believe INEC, as a commission, will look at your letter and give you feedback. Thank you for being orderly with your protest,” he said.

Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a statement in which he said he could “shoot” a television anchor during a live broadcast.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisation described the minister’s remarks as “reckless and violent,” warning that such language could incite attacks on journalists and undermine press freedom.

The group said Wike’s statement, made during a media parley in Abuja, violated broadcasting standards and carried the risk of normalising violence against media practitioners.

“Amnesty International Nigeria strongly condemns the reckless and violent language of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, in which he stated that he can respond to a statement by a journalist with shooting,” the statement read.

It added that Wike’s remarks—“If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him”—not only incited violence but also contravened Nigeria’s broadcasting code, which the National Broadcasting Commission is mandated to enforce.

The organisation warned that such comments from a public official could embolden attacks on journalists.

“What Wike said carries the danger of normalising violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists for just doing their job. This level of violent intent coming from a member of Nigeria’s federal cabinet is unlawful and unacceptable,” it said.

Amnesty International called on the minister to immediately withdraw the statement and issue a public apology.

The controversy followed Wike’s reaction to comments made by Channels Television anchor Seun Okinbaloye during a programme discussing the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress and its implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections. Okinbaloye had raised concerns about the possibility of a one-party state, a position the minister criticised as inappropriate for a journalist.