ADC Chieftain Petitions INEC Over Alleged Illegal Caretaker Committee Ahead of 2027 Polls
By Benjamin GBOR
The Vice Chairman (Central) and Director of Policy and Strategy of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State, Dr. MacFarlane Ejah, has raised concerns over what he described as a constitutional crisis within the party, warning that the situation could jeopardise the ADC’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Calabar, Ejah said Nigeria’s democracy is being threatened by internal disregard for the rule of law within political parties, stressing that political organisations must first demonstrate adherence to their own constitutions before seeking to lead the country.
He noted that the ADC, founded on transparency and grassroots inclusion, is currently facing what he termed a “dark cloud of unconstitutionality” at its National Headquarters, following the alleged dissolution of democratically elected national executives.
According to him, the crisis began on July 29, 2025, during a meeting at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, where a resolution was reportedly passed to dissolve the elected National Executive Officers and replace them with an Interim National Caretaker Committee.
Ejah said the committee allegedly includes Senator David Mark as Interim National Chairman, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as Interim National Secretary, Ms. Jakky Wayas as Interim National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani as Vice National Chairman (South-South), alongside several others.
He argued that the move contravene Articles 17 and 18 of the 2018 ADC Constitution, which, he said, mandate that officers at all levels must emerge through elective congresses. He also cited Section 82(4) of the 2026 Electoral Act, which requires political parties to operate through democratically elected organs.
“There is no provision in our constitution for interim or caretaker leadership. Any process that bypasses elections is unconstitutional and cannot stand,” he said.
The ADC chieftain warned that allowing what he described as an illegal leadership to conduct congresses and nominate candidates could invalidate the party’s participation in the 2027 elections.
“If an illegal leadership conducts the upcoming congresses and convention, every candidate they nominate will be legally flawed. We have seen parties lose entire states because their internal processes were faulty. We will not allow ADC to become a judicial casualty in 2027,” he stated.
Ejah disclosed that he has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under Section 83(2) of the 2026 Electoral Act, seeking the commission’s intervention.
He said the petition requests INEC to restrain the alleged caretaker committee from parading themselves as party leaders, halt the planned congresses scheduled for April 7–14, 2026, and ensure that any leadership transition complies with the ADC constitution and electoral laws.
The ADC official further revealed that the commission had been given a seven-day window to act, warning that failure to respond would compel the aggrieved members to seek redress in court.
“We are committed members of the ADC and do not want our party enmeshed in illegality. We demand a return to status quo ante where leadership emerges through democratic processes,” he said.
He emphasised that internal democracy remains a constitutional requirement and not an option, urging stakeholders to uphold due process within the party.
