Fresh political drama has erupted within the opposition camp following a dramatic twist at the National Convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where the National Working Committee (NWC) allegedly linked to former Senate President, David Mark, was dissolved amid intense internal power struggles.
In what political observers have described as a “three-dimensional chess game” within the opposition coalition, key political figures reportedly aligned with the emerging alliance — including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi — appeared to have lost influence over the party’s evolving structure during the convention.
The development comes after legacy state chairmen of the ADC, who recently secured legal recognition as the authentic leadership structure in several states, moved decisively to reclaim the party’s internal machinery.
Recall that the crisis within the party escalated after the legacy state chairmen were allegedly pushed out of the ADC structure by forces believed to be loyal to Atiku Abubakar, a development many party faithful and political observers described as an injustice and an attempt to hijack the party structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
In response, the aggrieved state chairmen approached the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, seeking judicial intervention over what they termed unlawful exclusion from the affairs of the party. The court subsequently affirmed their rights within the party structure and directed that the authentic state chairmen should proceed to organise their various state congresses and convention processes.
Following the court pronouncement, the legacy bloc moved swiftly to conduct ward congresses, state congresses, and eventually the national convention, which was concluded yesterday amid dramatic leadership changes within the party.
At the convention, the legacy bloc announced Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Bashir as the new National Chairman of the party, while Odon, a former Edo State Chairman of the ADC, emerged as the National Secretary.
In another major development that shocked many political stakeholders, the convention also produced businessman and politician, Dumebi Kachikwu, as the consensus presidential candidate of the party.
The emergence of the new leadership is now being viewed as a major political upset within opposition circles and a setback for powerful blocs that had sought strategic control of the ADC platform.
Analysts believe the unfolding developments could significantly reshape opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially as coalition talks, defections, and legal battles continue to redefine Nigeria’s political landscape.
