ADC Crisis Deepens: Cross River Chapter Brands National Caretaker Committee “Illegal,” Petitions INEC

The internal stability of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a severe litmus test as the Cross River State chapter formally rejected the newly emerged interim national caretaker committee. Describing the move as a direct assault on the party’s 2018 constitution, the state chapter warned that the current leadership vacuum could systematically dismantle the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

At a press briefing held Tuesday at the Ernest Bassey Press Centre in Calabar, Dr. MacFarlane Ejah—the State Vice Chairman (Central) and Director of Policy and Strategy—expressed grave concerns over the direction of the party’s national leadership. Ejah argued that the party is currently witnessing a “growing erosion of internal democracy” that threatens its very credibility.

The controversy dates back to a July 29, 2025, meeting at the Chelsea Hotel in Abuja. During this gathering, a group allegedly dissolved the democratically elected National Executive Committee (NEC) and installed an interim team. This new committee features prominent political figures, including David Mark as interim national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as interim national secretary.

However, the Cross River chapter maintains that this transition has no legal legs to stand on. Dr. Ejah pointed out that the ADC’s 2018 constitution does not recognize the concept of “caretaker” or “interim” leadership at any level, insisting that all officers must emerge via official congresses as mandated by the Electoral Act 2026.

“There is no provision for emergency powers that allows individuals to appoint themselves into leadership positions. Any such process is null and void,” Ejah declared.

The state chapter’s resistance is rooted in a fear of future litigation. With national congresses scheduled for April 7 to 14, 2026, Ejah warned that any leadership structure deemed illegitimate by the courts would inevitably sink the ambitions of every candidate running on the party’s ticket in 2027.

“If an illegal leadership conducts congresses, every candidate that emerges from such a process risks disqualification. We have seen political parties lose entire electoral victories due to faulty internal processes,” he stated.

In a move to force a resolution, the Cross River ADC has officially petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The petition seeks two primary objectives: to restrain David Mark’s committee from parading as the party’s leadership and to halt the upcoming April congresses until a constitutional leadership is restored.

The chapter has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the electoral umpire to intervene, failing which they intend to take the matter to court to protect the party’s “democratic status quo.”

“We are committed members of the ADC and do not want our party dragged into illegality. We are demanding a return to the status quo where leadership emerges through democratic processes,” Ejah emphasized.

As the April congress deadline looms, the ADC finds itself at a crossroads where the adherence to internal rule of law may be the only thing standing between political relevance and a total legal eclipse in the 2027 polls.