ADC impasse worsens as Kachikwu-led group endorses electoral commission, distances itself from Mark and Gombe.

The African Democratic Congress has been plunged into further turmoil, with the faction backing Dumebi Kachikwu, the party's 2023 presidential candidate, now openly supporting the electoral body's decision to withdraw recognition of the David Mark-led party leadership, as announced on Monday.

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This development was made public at a press conference in Abuja, where the group expressed its total support for the decision, citing compliance with the Appeal Court's ruling as the reason for the move.

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The faction, comprising state chairmen from the ADC, has disavowed the party's factional leader, Nafiu Bala Gombe, claiming he did not emerge through a credible process to lead the party.

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Furthermore, the faction has accused former national chairman Ralph Nwosu of attempting to transfer the party to non-members led by David Mark, and has praised the electoral body for distancing itself from the Mark-led group.

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The group, led by Kogi State chairman Temitope, has issued a statement disassociating themselves from David Mark and his exco, as well as the Nafiu Bala Gombe group, and all actions taken by them.

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This statement was made after a National Executive Committee meeting, which took place at the office of former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu in Abuja on Tuesday, and produced a communique read by publicity secretary Obinna Don Norman.

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According to the communique, David Mark and his exco were never members of the ADC, as they had not been members for the required 2 years as stipulated in the party's constitution.

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Publicity secretary Mr. Obinna Don Norman also stated that the congresses slated for the current day were never ratified by the NEC and therefore not recognized by it.

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In response to reporters' questions, Norman justified the emergence of the new NEC members, citing the need to preserve structures to liaise with the electoral body and lay the groundwork for the next election.

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Norman emphasized that the NEC remains the only legal structure of the party to deal with the electoral body and other institutions in Nigeria, given that David Mark and Balam Gombe have lost their legitimacy to lead the party.

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The group claims to be on a mission to save the ADC from being denied the opportunity to participate in the next general election, with the NEC set to stand down and allow a new exco to take over once the legal issues are resolved.

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When asked about allegations of being sponsored by the APC to destabilize the ADC, Norman denied any relationship with the APC and denied receiving any benefits from the party.

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Norman stated that he has never met the President, except when the President was the governor of Lagos and Norman was a reporter at the time.

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The ADC has presented a list of new leaders, including Ogga Temitope Kingsley from Kogi as interim National chairman, Odion Kennedy from Edo State as Secretary, and Obinna Don Norman from Abia State as publicity secretary, among others.