ADC Denies Reports of Leadership Change Involving David Mark, Ralph Nwosu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports alleging a change in its national leadership involving Senator David Mark and former chairman Ralph Nwosu.
The party described as false claims circulating online that Mark had stepped aside as national chairman to allow Nwosu assume control of the party ahead of its forthcoming national convention.
The reports had suggested that Mark relinquished his position following internal disagreements and growing pressure over the party’s structure, particularly in the wake of recent actions taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It was further claimed that Nwosu had been positioned to lead the party into its national convention and help stabilise its affairs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the development, the ADC firmly denied any such leadership change, insisting that the reports were misleading and untrue.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement posted on Sunday via his X handle, urged members of the public to ignore the report, describing it as fake news.
He said, “Please note that reports circulating about a change in the leadership of the ADC are fake news. Please disregard, flag, and report such content on any social media platform where you encounter it.”
The denial comes just days after INEC removed the names of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by David Mark, from its official portal.
The electoral commission explained that its decision was based on a ruling of the Court of Appeal, which directed all parties involved in the leadership dispute to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to INEC, the appellate court, in its March 12, 2026 judgment, ordered all parties to refrain from taking any action that could influence the outcome of the case and to preserve the leadership structure that existed before the dispute began.
The leadership crisis within the ADC has persisted for some time, with factions loyal to Nafiu Gombe and David Mark both laying claim to the party’s national leadership.
Despite INEC’s stance, the Mark-led National Working Committee has rejected the commission’s interpretation of the court ruling. The faction also called for the dissolution of the electoral body while maintaining that preparations for its planned national convention would continue.
The party is expected to hold its national convention in Abuja on April 14, even as the leadership tussle remains unresolved.