• APC mocks as calls mount for dialogue
• Imoke, Tambuwal, Atiku, Obi to head ADC convention committee 

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified, with growing concerns that persistent internal disputes and legal battles could weaken the party’s structure ahead of future political contests.
  
Many states have caught the crisis bug, with different factions throwing up leaders from their respective conventions.
  
At the centre of the crisis, especially in Adamawa State, is the increasing resort to ex parte court orders by opposing factions, a development political observers said is further polarising party members and complicating efforts to achieve unity.
 
Amid the storm, ADC has officially released updated lists of its Convention Committee and Subcommittees ahead of its forthcoming national convention.
 
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the update is aimed at strengthening coordination and ensuring a smooth and credible convention.
  
Analysts warn that if the situation is not carefully managed, the instability could create an opening for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to gain political advantage.
 
Amid the uncertainty, calls have intensified for a deliberate reconciliation process modelled after the consensus-driven political framework seen in Kano State under Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. 
 
The Kano model, widely regarded as a successful example of political harmonisation, is being proposed as a pathway to restoring cohesion within Adamawa ADC.
  
A key figure in the ongoing mediation efforts is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is seen as a central leader within the party. While efforts to bring aggrieved factions to the negotiating table have begun, insiders say more sustained engagement will be required to resolve deep-seated differences.
  
The crisis involves influential stakeholders, including Babachir Lawal, Aisha Binani, Ishaku Abbo, JibrillaBindow and Shehu Yohanna. Their positions and alignments within the party have significantly shaped the dynamics.
  
As the situation unfolds, the future of the ADC in the state largely depends on how quickly and effectively its leaders can close ranks and present a united front in an increasingly competitive political landscape.

IN Ebonyi State, the APC is mocking the opposition ADC for conducting parallel congresses that produced separate leadership. While one faction elected Silas Onu as chairman, the other electedMrs Jennifer Nwafor.
  
Onu had, in his acceptance speech after a congress at the Preston Hotel in Abakaliki on Saturday, said that the ADC under his leadership would wrest power from the APC in 2027.
  
“We shall field candidates for all positions, including the governorship. We will not only contend with them, but we shall also beat them,” Onu said.
  
But the APC Chairman in the state, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, in his reaction, urged ADC not to waste its strength talking about APC and the 2027 elections in the state.
  
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chijioke Agwu, the APC boss advised the opposition party to concentrate its time and resources towards resolving its internal crises.

PLATEAU ADC on Saturday evening held parallel state congresses, producing two chairmen in the state.
  
The camp of HanatuGagara conducted its congress at Adewusi House, Murtala Mohammed Way, Jos, while the camp of Samuel Gyang, led by former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, used Kalwa House, the party’s state secretariat, also in Jos.
  
Dalung, after the congress, urged the members to know that “the contestants are respected Nigerians” who had paid their dues, stating that the congress would determine the future of ADC in Plateau.   

The Ogun chapter, like the others, also had two parallel factions, producing two different state executives on Saturday.
 
One of the congresses held at the party’s secretariat in Itoko, Abeokuta, returned Femi Soluade as the chairman, while the other one held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, produced Emmanuel Famojuro as chairman.
  
Moshood Salvador led the faction that returned Soluade as the chairman, while Olatunji Shoyinka led the faction that produced Famojuro as the chairman.
  
Salvador condemned the congress held at OOPL, accusing former minister Rauf Aregbesola of trying to split the party.
 
He urged the new party executive to shun corruption and not be intimidated by the APC, noting that the party remains unbeatable in the 2027 elections.
  
However, Shoyinka noted that the party’s national leadership would not recognise any other executive as authentic except the one that produced Famojuro as the chairman.

MEANWHILE, ADC has fixed May 12, 2026, as the date for the inauguration of the newly elected state executives who emerged from the just-concluded state congresses.
  
It congratulated the state executives on the peaceful conduct of their congresses, describing the process as a reflection of the party’s commitment to internal democracy and the rule of law. 
  
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party announced that the inauguration of the new officials will take place on May 12, 2026, or a later date to be communicated andurged the officials to remain committed to the party’s ideals and align with the leadership direction of our National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and work to strengthen the party nationwide.
  
“These elections, carried out in line with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution, reflect the ADC’s enduring commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. We commend all party members and stakeholders for exercising their democratic rights with maturity, discipline, and a shared sense of purpose,” it stated.
  
The party expressed confidence that, under its leadership at the state level, it would continue to grow, deepen its structures, and strengthen its connections with citizens across the country.
 
In the official list, former governor of Cross River State, Senator LiyelImoke, will chair the convention, while Tambuwal will serve as Vice chairman. Dr Ajuji Ahmed serves as secretary.
 
The official announcement confirms The Guardian’s report last week of the composition of the National Convention Central Coordination Committee of the party on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
 
Other members of the 22-member planning committee include Atiku, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso, former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, his Kaduna counterpart, Nasir el-Rufai, and that of Imo, Achike Udenwa.
 
Also on the list are former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; former governor of Imo, Emeka Ihedioha and others.
 
In slight changes, former National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbodiyon, heads the Media and Publicity Committee, Lauretta Onochie will head the sub-committee on New Media while Chille Igbawua will function as Vice Chairman of the committee on Electoral affairs