Politics

ADC crisis: Faction presses INEC to drop Mark, Aregbesola

Published

9 hours ago

March 22, 2026

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The rival factions in the African Democratic Congress have taken the tussle for the leadership of the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission, as the Nafiu Bala-led camp seeks to take over the party.

Our correspondent learnt that Bala wrote to INEC, urging the commission to remove former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as Chairman and Secretary of the party, respectively.

This follows the rejection of an appeal filed by Mark against the decision of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a suit instituted by Bala against the ADC national chairman.

Bala, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, has been challenging the current party leadership, insisting that he was supposed to be the national chairman after the resignation of Ralph Nwosu, the former chairman.

But Justice Nwite, on September 4, 2025, rejected an ex parte motion filed by Bala, who had sought an order of the court directing INEC to derecognise Mark and Aregbesola as the new leaders of the party.

The judge also directed both Mark and Aregbesola to show cause why the injunction should not be granted, thereby putting them on notice to respond to the application.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Mark filed a notice of appeal on September 18, 2025, challenging the decision on several legal grounds, including lack of jurisdiction.

However, on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal dismissed Mark’s appeal, registered as CA/ABJ/145/2026, on the grounds that it was procedurally incompetent, having been filed against an interlocutory directive without first obtaining the required leave of court.

The appellate court, led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, directed the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.

Bala moves to take over party leadership

We correspondent gathered that following the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal, Bala approached INEC to recognise him as the national chairman of the ADC.

Bala, in a letter written to INEC by his counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN), urged the commission to uphold the Court of Appeal’s decision by ceasing to recognise the leadership of Mark and Aregbesola.

In the letter, dated March 16 and obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, Emukpoeruo quoted the statement of the Court of Appeal, which reads, “That the parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.”

Emukpoeruo argued that the orders of the court are in two parts: one directing the maintenance of the status quo and another restraining any actions that could create a fait accompli or render proceedings before the trial court nugatory.

He urged members of the party to remain calm, law-abiding, and committed to the ideals and progress of the ADC.

Findings by our also revealed that a legal practitioner, Dr Sulaimon Usman (SAN), of Gamzaki Law Chambers in Abuja, had written to INEC to dismiss Bala’s claim, urging the commission not to entertain the prayers being sought.

Usman, in a letter dated March 16, 2026, and obtained by our correspondent said, “In the present circumstances, it would be consistent with the principles of constitutional order, judicial comity, and sound administrative prudence for the commission to refrain from recognising or acting upon any representation seeking to install or recognise any person as Acting National Chairman of the party pending the determination of the suit before the Federal High Court.

President’s re-election

“This is particularly important given that the party presently operates under an existing leadership structure which emerged from the NEC meeting monitored by the Commission on July 29, 2025, and which remains the subsisting structure pending the determination of the court proceedings.”

Meanwhile, Abdullahi alleged that certain elements in the Presidency and the APC were mounting pressure on INEC to deregister the Mark-led National Working Committee members with a view to handing over the party’s structure to President Tinubu.

According to him, the game plan is to ensure that the ADC is not allowed to produce a presidential candidate so that Tinubu will run unopposed in the 2027 presidential election.

He said, “We have it on good authority that the INEC chairman is under serious pressure from the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress to stop the ADC, and they have mobilised most of his commissioners into the project.

“The plan is to ensure that all opposition leaders are locked down in the ADC and, at the last minute, announce its deregistration, thereby preventing opposition leaders from joining another party. We do not yet know how complicit the judiciary is in this plan.

“Tinubu does not want to run against anybody. He is afraid of contesting the election against individuals like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and other credible opposition figures.”

ADC making wild allegations, can’t gaslight INEC, says APC

Dismissing the allegation, the National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru, accused the ADC of making wild claims instead of addressing its internal crisis.

Basiru stated that it was irresponsible to accuse the Presidency and the APC of pressuring INEC to deregister the ADC when they are not parties to the litigation.

He said, “The Presidency and the APC are not parties to the suit in court. It was David Mark who went to the Court of Appeal, and the court said that the status quo ante bellum should be respected.

“One expects that any law-abiding organisation would respect the order of the appellate court rather than making red herrings and wild allegations against the Presidency or any other political party. We do not have any business with their litigation.

“If you decide to take over a party structure without due process, is that the business of the President or the APC? If you go to court and present a case that is not meritorious, is that the problem of the President?”

Basiru urged the ADC to obey the court decision even if it intends to appeal, warning that INEC should not be gaslighted into disobeying the court of law.

“Even if they disagree with the decision of the Court of Appeal, they should go to the Supreme Court. But until it is set aside, the order of the Court of Appeal that the status quo ante bellum should be maintained subsists.

“Any respectable organisation like INEC cannot be gaslighted into disobeying the order of the Court of Appeal. This shows part of their irresponsibility, lack of understanding of how the legal process works, and the propensity to always make wild allegations without any facts,” he added.

The APC national secretary absolved the party and the Presidency of the ADC crisis, saying: *“It is not our business. Our party is united and stronger. We do not have any business with their party, but they must obey the court of law, and INEC must also obey the court of law.

“You cannot gaslight INEC when there is a subsisting court order and then claim that the Presidency is putting pressure. The Presidency is too busy with serious matters to get involved in a political party that has not even taken off.”

Source: Punch

Politics

I’ve not defected to APC – Bala Mohammed

Published

4 days ago

March 19, 2026

Top News Nigeria

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Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Wednesday said that he had not “moved” from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress as claimed in certain circles.

Mohammed spoke at the Government House, Bauchi, when questioned by journalists after swearing in some newly appointed permanent secretaries in the state.

In an attempt to hear from the governor about the rumoured defection, Mohammed simply said: “Pressmen, no interview for now, I will speak with Channels Television soon. I am now an international figure in politics; I don’t want to domesticate myself. I will address this later today. I have not moved, they said that I had long defected,” he said while proceeding to his office.

Mohammed, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is left with his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, as the only PDP governors after the defection of Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers).

Politics

11 opposition Reps defect to APC, ADC

Published

1 week ago

March 13, 2026

Top News Nigeria

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Twenty-four hours after losing four of its members in the House of Representatives to rival parties, the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday suffered fresh losses in the Green Chamber, with six lawmakers defecting to the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress.

The Labour Party was also hit by the gale of defections, losing five members as political realignments intensified ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Announcing the defections during plenary, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, attributed the wave of cross-carpeting to lingering internal crises within the opposition parties.

Lawmakers who dumped the PDP for the APC include Bitrus Kwamoti, Zakaria Nyampa, James Barka and Kobis Thinmu, all from Adamawa State; Mohammed Bargaja (Sokoto) and Midala Balami (Borno).

The Labour Party lost Afam Ogene, Lilian Orogbu and Peter Aniekwe from Anambra State to the African Democratic Congress. Two other LP lawmakers — Jessy Onuakalusi from Lagos State and Osaro Omoruyi from Edo State — also defected to the ADC.

In addition, Peter Uzokwe, an Anambra lawmaker elected on the platform of the Young Progressives Party, joined the ADC.

Welcoming the defectors to the APC, Kalu described the ruling party as a broad platform open to all Nigerians, insisting that its growing membership reflects confidence in its leadership and programmes.

He said, “Some of our colleagues want to move to the APC. We have their letters here, but we cannot officially announce their defections in their absence.”

The latest defections come amid a broader wave of political realignments across the country, with major opposition figures exploring new alliances outside the traditional party structures.

In recent months, prominent politicians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, have been linked to consultations aimed at forging a coalition platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

The African Democratic Congress has emerged as one of the parties reportedly being considered as a possible vehicle for such an alliance.

The moves have triggered renewed political calculations within the National Assembly, with lawmakers repositioning themselves in anticipation of possible shifts in the balance of power.

Analysts say the growing uncertainty within the opposition parties — particularly the prolonged leadership disputes in the PDP and factional struggles within the Labour Party — has created an environment that encourages defections.

For the ruling APC, the inflow of lawmakers further strengthens its numerical dominance in the House of Representatives, while the ADC appears to be positioning itself as an emerging platform for politicians seeking an alternative to both the APC and the traditional opposition parties.

With more defections reportedly imminent, the composition of the House may continue to shift in the coming weeks as political actors recalibrate their alliances ahead of the next electoral contest.

Politics

Published

2 weeks ago

March 11, 2026

Top News Nigeria

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Smarting from Appeal Court Ruling, PDP Mulls Reconciliation, Lays Down Conditions

Nigeria | 9 seconds ago

• Declares party won’t die, will never be APC’s appendage

•Holds BoT meeting yesterday, another today

•Let’s bury the hatchet, stop litigations to enable party vie in 2027 polls, says Saraki

•Wabara: we need to find solution

•Makinde: weeping may continue all night but joy comes in the morning

•Akpoti-Uduaghan urges PDP leaders to end litigations, rebuild party ahead of 2027

•Banigo quits party for APC, backs Tinubu

Chuks Okocha and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Still smarting from the outcome of the recent Court of Appeal judgement, which nullified its national conven-tion held last year in Ibadan, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has indicated interest in reconciliation, but with clear conditions.

The reconciliation with the faction of the party loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ultimately aimed to find a lasting solution to the leadership crisis plaguing PDP.

Briefing newsmen after the expanded Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Emeombong, said, “First and foremost, the PDP must not die. We are open to reconciliation.

“The PDP must be on the ballot for all the elections from the presidential to senators, House of Representatives, and governors. The party must be on the ballot

“The PDP must not be an appendage to any ruling party. These were some of the sentiments expressed at the extended BoT before it adjourned to commence Wednesday morning.”

Emeombong explained that PDP under the leadership of Tanimu Turaki was disposed to reconciliation.

On whether the party will meet the digital e-registration deadline as contained in the 2026 Electoral Act, he said, “We will meet the deadline. So far, we have more than two million members that have registered across boards.”

He added that the expanded BoT meeting would commence discussion on the way forward today

Saraki: Let’s Bury the Hatchet, Stop Litigations to Enable Party Vie in 2027 Polls

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, appealed to all leaders and stakeholders in PDP to stop fighting, accept the Court of Appeal verdict, and move towards holding a fresh national convention that would comply with all Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.

Saraki, in his reaction to Monday’s judgement, said it was time for introspection and to see the appeal court decision as an end to all litigations.

In a statement by his Media aide, Yusuf Olaniyanu, Saraki said, “My own position is that the Court of Appeal has ruled. However, with the revised timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it is obvious that there is no time to wait for the Supreme Court decision.

“Otherwise, we will not meet the deadlines for completing the process of nominating candidates.

‘’Also, uncertainty will continue to hang over the validity of the tickets issued to those nominated on the PDP platform. If our motive is to see that we do not jeopardise the chances of our numerous members who want to contest elections on our platform, then this consideration should be the priority of all of us in the party.”

Saraki said, “One of the key essentials of a political party is to provide a platform for candidates seeking to serve the people by contesting elections. We should not defeat this purpose. It is for these reasons that I believe the only option open to all of us is to end all litigation and work with the arrangements that are on the ground for holding a national convention within the INEC timetable.”

He said, “From the beginning, some of us have warned and advised about the dangers of travelling this route. We know that it will only imperil the party. However, since we have found ourselves here, our focus should be on how to get back on the path of full recovery, stability, and progress.

“I know that at this stage, egos have been bruised. However, the difference between an ordinary man and a statesman, between a person and a patriot, between a follower and a leader is the ability to rise above the din and ignore personal interests to serve the larger common interests and public good.

‘’Thus, some leaders of the party who did not get what they desired from the courts should now consider the bigger interest of the PDP in the 2027 elections and beyond. This is a more noble, dignified, and responsible position to adopt than to embark on a journey that leads to nowhere.”

The former senate president stated, “My concern is how to save and preserve this great party for the benefit of the numerous members who have hinged their aspirations on the PDP platform. There are many Nigerians in the grassroots who have been investing their time and resources in mobilising support for the party because they want to contest elections on the PDP platform.

“These are members who want to contest elections into the Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and the presidency.

“Feuding leaders should not allow their ego and personal differences to jeopardise, undermine, and defeat the aspirations of these honest, devoted and committed party members by depriving them of the opportunity to subject themselves to the verdict of the electorate. That is what these leaders will be doing if anybody continues with the litigation.”

He explained, “The only viable option open to all of us is to sit down, discuss, and work towards holding an all-inclusive national convention at a time that will comply with INEC guidelines.

“What should be paramount to all of us is to adopt a give-and-take attitude that will ensure we accommodate all interests in the election of officers at the national convention. We should let the sleeping dog lie peacefully. There is really no time for continuous bickering and grandstanding.”

Wabara: We Need to Find Solution

Chairman of PDP BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, yesterday, told members of the board that solution must be found to the judgement of the Court of Appeal against the national convention of the party.

Wabara said while addressing the expanded meeting of the BoT, ‘’We need to find a solution. We need to talk to the judgement. In fact, the board considers the judgement an order for the party to begin again.

‘’An order for the party to begin again. We are more, we respect the law. So this is an opportunity for us to begin again. And that’s why we are all here.’’

Referring to the opening prayers before the commencement of the BoT meeting, Wabara said, ‘’When Iyom Josephine Anenih prayed for us, she said we should just forget about our personal interests and think about the party.

“Before I came in here this afternoon, I, as an Igbo man, I made contacts with the father of this party, who is late, Alex Ekwueme, and he said he’s very proud of what we are doing and that we should continue to fight.

‘’Having said so, it’s not a day of speech making. It’s a day that we have to be very serious with the decisions we are going to arrive at. As we’ve always done with the board, we obey the constitution. We must work in accordance with the constitution. And you can never go wrong if you abide by the constitution and the rule of law.’’

Wabara urged that the meeting should be brief, alleging that the whole idea was to edge PDP out. ‘’But we will find our way, if we have an open mind. We should, in these meetings, keep an open mind and see how we can get ourselves back on track,’’ he stated.

However, despite the reports of reconciliation within PDP, two separate BoT meetings were scheduled.

The BoT first met yesterday, Tuesday, at Bauchi State Government lodge in Asokoro, at 3pm.

However, a counter BoT meeting of those loyal to the FCT minister, under the chairmanship of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, was scheduled for today, Wednesday, at 1, Sabo Ago Street, LifeCamp, Abuja, at 2 pm.

The Wabara BoT is loyal to Turaki, whose national convention was annulled by the Court of Appeal Monday in Abuja

THISDAY gathered that Wabara’s objective was to discuss the way forward for the party. But in a counter notice, Wike-led BoT fixed its own meeting for today.

Consequently, the national caretaker committee of Wike’s faction said it remained the legitimate and authentic leadership organ of the party.

The committee announced that the party would hold a national convention at the velodrome of the MKO Abiola national stadium between March 28 and 29 in Abuja.

That was disclosed by Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, who addressed a press conference on the outcome of the Court of Appeal judgement.

Mohammed stated, ‘’I want to make it clear at this time that the National Caretaker Working Committee remains the only national leadership recognized by the law and the party. The National Caretaker Working Committee is the only legitimate body that can present a candidate in the build-up to 2027 general elections.

‘’As such, I urge all stakeholders, party leaders, party members and supporters to rally around the National Caretaker Working Committee as we prepare to approach activities towards the 2027 general elec-tion.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan Urges PDP Leaders to End Litigations, Rebuild Party Ahead of 2027

Kogi-born PDP senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, called on party leaders and stakeholders to urgently close ranks and end internal legal battles threatening the party’s future.

In a statement in Abuja, Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, urged PDP leaders to treat the recent appellate court verdict on the party’s national convention as an opportunity for reconciliation and rebuilding ahead of the 2027 general election.

She said the party must move beyond the cycle of litigations that had trailed its internal processes and focus on restoring unity and strengthening internal democracy.

“The Court of Appeal has spoken, and as a democratic party that believes in the rule of law, we must now shift our focus from litigation to reconciliation and rebuilding,” she said.

According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, prolonged legal disputes can undermine the aspirations of grassroots politicians preparing to contest elections on the PDP platform.

She warned that continued disagreements among party leaders risked frustrating the ambitions of party members aspiring to contest seats in state assemblies, the National Assembly, governorship offices, and even the presidency.

“Our members across the grassroots — those aspiring to serve in state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship positions and the presidency – must not become casualties of prolonged disagreements among leaders,” she said.

Banigo Quits PDP for APC, Backs Tinubu

Despite new moves by the PDP leadership towards reconciliation following the appeal court judgement, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, the senator for Rivers West Senatorial District, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Banigo also declared that President Bola Tinubu “deserves all our support” to complete ongoing reforms.

The defection came amid renewed calls within PDP for reconciliation and unity following the recent judgement of the Court of Appeal on the party’s national convention dispute.

Banigo’s letter was read during plenary by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, marking another exit from the opposition party as internal divisions and litigations continue to rattle its leadership structure.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the announcement, Banigo said her decision to leave PDP followed extensive consultation with constituents and political stakeholders in Rivers West.

She cited the lingering leadership crisis, internal divisions, and protracted litigations within PDP as major reasons for abandoning the party.

According to her, the ruling APC provides a more stable political platform for advancing both her legislative agenda and the development interests of her constituency.

Banigo stated in the letter, “I write to formally inform my distinguished colleagues of my decision to defect from the PDP and subsequently join the APC.

“This decision follows extensive consultations with my constituents, political associates and critical stakeholders across my senatorial district.

“Given the prevailing internal divisions, protracted leadership disputes, and ongoing litigations within the PDP which have adversely affected cohesion, I am convinced that the APC offers a more stable and progressive platform.”