By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has deepened, with key officials of the party in Cross River State petitioning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to halt planned national and state congresses over alleged constitutional breaches.
State Vice Chairman (Central) and Director of Policy and Strategy, Dr MacFarlane Ejah, who led the move, warned that the party risks severe legal consequences ahead of the 2027 general elections if what he described as “illegal leadership structures” are allowed to persist.
Ejah, addressing journalists in Calabar, said the intervention became necessary to safeguard internal democracy within the party, stressing that ADC cannot aspire to govern Nigeria while allegedly disregarding its own constitutional provisions.
He traced the genesis of the crisis to a meeting held on July 29, 2025, at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, where a purported National Executive resolution dissolved the democratically elected leadership and replaced it with an interim caretaker committee.
According to him, the committee, allegedly led by former Senate President David Mark, alongside other prominent figures, lacks constitutional backing, as the ADC constitution does not recognise interim or caretaker arrangements at any level.
Citing relevant provisions, Ejah maintained that Articles 17 and 18 of the party’s 2018 Constitution mandate that all party officers must emerge through elective congresses, a position he said is reinforced by Section 82(4) of the 2026 Electoral Act.
He argued that any leadership not produced through democratic processes cannot validly organise congresses or nominate candidates, warning that such actions could render all candidates produced under the structure legally defective.
“We are apprehensive because an unconstitutional leadership cannot present valid candidates to INEC. We have seen parties lose entire electoral victories due to flawed internal processes. ADC must not become a judicial casualty in 2027,” he said.
The party chieftain disclosed that a formal petition has been submitted to INEC under Section 83(2) of the Electoral Act, urging the commission to restrain the alleged interim leadership from parading itself as the authentic authority of the party.
He further demanded that INEC ensure strict compliance with both the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act in any leadership transition process within the party.
Ejah also raised concerns over alleged attempts by “political migrants” to hijack party structures, warning that imposition of candidates would not be tolerated by members committed to due process.
He cautioned that failure to address the situation could plunge the party into prolonged legal battles and institutional instability, undermining its electoral prospects.
Giving INEC a seven-day ultimatum to act, Ejah said the party officials would approach the High Court to seek judicial intervention if the commission fails to respond.
“Internal democracy is not a suggestion; it is a constitutional mandate. We demand a return to due process where the voice of the ward member counts as much as that of leaders in Abuja,” he added.
