Leadership Crisis Deepens In ADC As Dumebi Kachikwu Leads New Bloc, Backs INEC, Sets Up Caretaker Committee

Leadership Crisis Deepens in ADC as Dumebi Kachikwu Leads New Bloc, Backs INEC, Sets Up Caretaker Committee A fresh leadership crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the emergence of a new faction led by former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, which has declared support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and announced the formation of a caretaker committee to steer the party’s affairs.

The development signals deepening divisions within the opposition party amid disputes over legitimate leadership and control of party structures ahead of future electoral activities. The Kachikwu-led bloc accused the existing national leadership of operating outside constitutional provisions of the party, insisting that internal processes had been compromised.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Kachikwu said the new faction emerged to restore order, internal democracy and credibility within the party. He maintained that the group recognises INEC’s position regarding party leadership and pledged full compliance with electoral regulations. According to him, the caretaker committee was established to stabilise the ADC, reorganise its structures nationwide and prepare the party for credible political participation. The faction openly aligned itself with INEC, stressing that adherence to the electoral umpire’s guidelines remains essential to preserving the party’s legal standing. Kachikwu noted that respecting institutional decisions would prevent further confusion among party members and supporters, adding that political parties must operate within constitutional and regulatory frameworks. He argued that continued leadership disputes could weaken opposition politics if not urgently addressed.

As part of efforts to resolve the crisis, the new bloc unveiled a caretaker committee tasked with

• Reconciling aggrieved members
• Conducting internal audits of party structures
• Organising an inclusive national convention
• Rebuilding confidence among stakeholders

The committee, according to the faction, will function temporarily until a properly constituted national convention elects substantive officers. The leadership tussle has exposed long-standing divisions within the ADC, raising concerns about fragmentation within the party. Observers say the emergence of parallel leadership structures could trigger legal battles and recognition disputes, particularly regarding which faction controls party symbols, candidates and official communications.

Political analysts warn that unresolved internal crises often weaken smaller opposition parties, limiting their competitiveness in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. Despite the escalating tensions, the Kachikwu group called on all party stakeholders to embrace dialogue and reconciliation in order to preserve the ADC as a viable political platform. The faction insisted that its actions were not aimed at division but at safeguarding democratic principles within the party. The unfolding dispute is expected to test the authority of party organs and the role of INEC in determining recognised leadership as events continue to develop.