What was once a growing political platform is now a battlefield.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is locked in a deepening leadership crisis, with three rival camps fighting for control of the party — turning internal disagreements into an all-out political war ahead of the 2027 elections.
At the centre of the conflict are factions aligned with David Mark, Nafiu Gombe, and Dumebi Kachikwu — each claiming legitimacy, and each accusing the others of hijacking the party.
What makes the crisis more intense is that many of those now clashing were once political allies.
The Mark-led camp has accused rivals of working indirectly for the ruling All Progressives Congress, suggesting the division could benefit President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next election.
On the other side, Gombe insists he never stepped down and should rightfully lead the party, rejecting the processes that brought in the current leadership.
Meanwhile, Kachikwu’s bloc has taken a harder stance — dismissing both sides as illegitimate and accusing them of undermining internal democracy.
The crisis worsened after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered all factions to maintain the status quo — effectively halting congresses and conventions.
But even that directive did not stop the infighting.
One faction went ahead with a convention anyway — a move others described as provocative and unlawful, further deepening mistrust within the party.
Behind the legal arguments and political statements lies a deeper struggle — control.
Each camp is interpreting the party’s constitution differently, creating a situation where the ADC now operates like three separate parties under one name.
A fierce “winner-takes-all” battle is unfolding — with no side willing to back down.
For political observers, this is more than an internal dispute.
It raises serious questions about whether the ADC can remain a credible opposition force as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
With lawsuits ongoing, expulsions flying, and leadership claims multiplying, the party’s future now hinges on court decisions — possibly at the Supreme Court.
Right now, the ADC is not just divided — it is fractured.
Three camps. One party. No clear leader.
And as 2027 draws closer, the real question is no longer who controls the party — but whether the party can survive the battle at all.