A faction of the African Democratic Congress has adopted Dumebi Kachikwu, its 2023 presidential candidate, as its sole flag bearer for the 2027 general election.
Delegates ratified the decision at a National Convention held Sunday in Abuja. Elias Adikwu, chairman of the electoral committee and Benue State party chairman, announced the adoption before the gathering.
The faction’s newly elected National Chairman, Abdulkadir Mohammed Bashir, handed Kachikwu the party flag to mark his emergence. The convention also elected a new National Working Committee, with Kingsley Oggah as BoT Chairman, Johnny Tovie Derek as Deputy National Chairman, and Kennedy O. Odion as National Secretary. Joe Aroh, Chris Ugwu, and Patrick Ambut were named among other officials.
The move deepens the split within the ADC. Months earlier, a rival faction led by former Senate President David Mark held its own convention and installed him as substantive National Chairman after constitutional amendments.
That meeting drew opposition heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as part of coalition talks aimed at presenting a united front against the ruling APC in 2027.
The parallel conventions reflect a wider struggle over control of the party’s structure, finances, and INEC recognition. Both camps claim legitimacy, a pattern seen in other Nigerian parties ahead of major election cycles.
Kachikwu ran on the ADC ticket in 2023, finishing outside the top three. His faction now moves to position itself as the main ADC platform for 2027, setting up a likely legal and political tussle over who can field candidates under the party name.
The dispute leaves the ADC fragmented at a time when opposition groups are trying to consolidate ahead of the next election.
