By Abiola Olawale
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially ratified a new National Working Committee (NWC) led by former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark.
The decision was the highlight of the party’s National Convention held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja.
The convention, which saw over 1,500 delegates in attendance, marks the culmination of a massive political realignment aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The convention served as the formal transition of power from Chief Ralph Nwosu to Mark.
During the proceedings, the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting’s resolution to dissolve the previous leadership was formally upheld.
Mark, who previously served as an interim chairman following a coalition agreement in 2025, was overwhelmingly confirmed as the substantive National Chairman.
Joining him in the new leadership structure is former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who was ratified as the National Secretary.
The transition from the long-standing leadership of Nwosu to the Mark-led executive was finalized with unanimous support from delegates.
The ADC also concluded its national convention on Tuesday in Abuja, with delegates overwhelmingly voting to amend the party’s constitution.
At the end of voting, the Chairman of the ADC Electoral Sub-Committee and former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, announced the result.
He stated that a total of 1,576 delegates were accredited, while 11 votes were deemed void. A total of 1,471 delegates voted “yes” to amend the constitution, representing 94 per cent.
“Distinguished delegates, by virtue of this result announced, it means that the constitution of the African Democratic Congress has today been duly amended by this convention that took place at the Rainbow Event Centre, Abuja,” he said.
Earlier, before voting commenced, the Chairman of the Legal and Convention Processes Committee, Olumide Apata, led the ratification of resolutions on key issues concerning the party at the 97th, 98th, and 99th NEC meetings.
Chinedu Idigo, the National Organising Secretary, outlined the resolutions passed, including a waiver of membership requirements, the suspension of zoning provisions for executive positions, and the suspension of the rule requiring that a vacant office be filled by someone from the same zone as the previous occupant.
The 99th NEC meeting of the ADC dissolved the Chief Ralph Nwosu-led National Working Committee (NWC) with immediate effect. At the same time, the David Mark-led NWC assumed full responsibility for running the affairs of the party. The resolution was ratified by the convention.
Also, at the convention, the ADC announced the expulsion of factional chairman, Nafiu Bala, and the member representing Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide.
It also confirmed the expulsion of other members, including factional leader Kingsley Temitope, Noman Obinna, Kennedy Odion, Stella Chukwuma, and four others.
The party said the affected individuals were removed over alleged anti-party activities and attempts to create confusion and instability within its ranks.
The motion for their expulsion was moved by Senator Binos Yaroe of Adamawa South Senatorial District and seconded by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, who represents the Kebbi/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, speaking during the convention, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar slammed the conduct of the INEC, alleging that the electoral body is being used to undermine democracy in Nigeria.
“I will not end these remarks without indicting the chairman of INEC and INEC itself because it is clear, it is obvious, the evidence is there INEC is being used to scuttle democracy in this country. Now, let the Federal Government know that we fought the military to bring democracy to this country and we are going to fight them to bring democracy to this country.
“Let the chairman know we are not going to let him get away with his illegalities, we will not and I hope we will have your support and cooperation to make sure we return to true democracy, to true development in all aspects of human endeavour,” Atiku said.
In his address, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, lamented Nigeria’s debt profile under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“When this government came into being, it removed the subsidy on petroleum. The reason was to stop borrowing to service it and use the resources to develop the country. But today, despite that removal, the government has continued borrowing.
“The previous administration left a debt of about ₦87 trillion. Today, we are close to ₦200 trillion. That means they have borrowed over 130 per cent more, despite removing the subsidy. At the same time, contractors are being owed, and no projects in the 2025 budget have been funded. We have a huge debt and have borrowed more for everything. We are heading to disaster,” he said.
