The African Democratic Congress is facing a widening internal crisis as parallel state congresses held over the weekend produced rival leadership factions across multiple states, threatening to undermine the party’s structure just weeks before the scheduled inauguration of new executives on May 12.
The crisis, which has engulfed chapters in Ebonyi, Plateau, Ogun, and Adamawa states, has exposed deep divisions within the opposition party and drawn mockery from the ruling All Progressives Congress, which has seized on the disarray to question the ADC’s readiness for future political contests.
Ebonyi: APC Mocks Rival Factions
In Ebonyi State, parallel congresses produced two separate chairmen — Silas Onu and Jennifer Nwafor. Onu, who emerged from a congress at the Preston Hotel in Abakaliki on Saturday, declared in his acceptance speech 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, dismissed the opposition party’s ambitions, urging ADC to focus its energy on resolving its internal crises rather than making electoral threats.
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: Dalung Leads Faction as Two Chairmen Emerge
Plateau State witnessed a similar scenario on Saturday evening, with parallel congresses producing two chairmen. The camp of Hanatu Gagara conducted its congress at Adewusi House along 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 members to recognise that “the contestants are respected Nigerians” who had paid their dues, stating that the congress would determine the future of ADC in Plateau.
Ogun: Salvador, Shoyinka Camps Clash
The Ogun State chapter also produced two different state executives on Saturday. One congress, held at the party’s secretariat in Itoko, Abeokuta, returned Femi Soluade as chairman. The other, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, produced Emmanuel Famojuro as chairman.
Moshood Salvador led the faction that returned Soluade, while Olatunji Shoyinka led the faction that produced Famojuro. 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, insisting that the party remains unbeatable in the 2027 elections.
However, Shoyinka maintained that the party’s national leadership would not recognise any other executive as authentic except the one that produced Famojuro as chairman.
Adamawa: Ex Parte Orders Fuel Polarisation
At the centre of the crisis, particularly in Adamawa State, is the increasing resort to ex parte court orders by opposing factions — a development political observers say is further polarising party members and complicating efforts to achieve unity.
The crisis involves influential stakeholders, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, Aisha Binani, Ishaku Abbo, former governor Jibrilla Bindow, and Shehu Yohanna. Their positions and alignments within the party have significantly shaped the dynamics.
Analysts warn that if the situation is not carefully managed, the instability could create an opening for the APC to gain political advantage. Calls have intensified for a deliberate reconciliation process modelled after the consensus-driven political framework seen in Kano State under Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is seen as a central leader within the party and has been involved in ongoing mediation efforts. 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.
National Leadership Moves to Assert Control
Amid the storm, the ADC’s national leadership 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.
The party 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.
“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,” Abdullahi’s statement read.
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.
High-Powered Convention Committee Named
In the official list, former governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, will chair the convention, while former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, will serve as vice chairman. Dr. Ajuji Ahmed serves as secretary.
Other members of the 22-member planning committee include Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Kwankwaso, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, his Kaduna counterpart Nasir el-Rufai, and former Imo governor Achike Udenwa.
Also on the list are former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami and former Imo governor Emeka Ihedioha, among others.
In slight changes, former National Publicity Secretary of the 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.
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