- Kachikwu urges patience for court’s verdict
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognised the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Council (NEC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This settles the leadership tussle within the party.
But the party’s former presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has refused to recognise the new leadership until the conclusion of the ongoing legal processes.
The details of the party’s new leadership published on the INEC website showed that the commission also recognised former Osun State governor and ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as ADC’s National Secretary.
Other officials listed in the party’s leadership positions include Ibrahim Ahmad Mani (a former member of the Ralph Nwosu-led NEC, as the National Treasurer); Akibu Dalhatu (as the National Financial Secretary); and former Edo State governor, Prof. Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor (as the National Legal Adviser) .
The INEC recognition appears to settle, at least for now, the dispute over the authenticity of ADC’s new NEC. Kachikwu had contested the matter alongside a former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, and several state chairmen loyal to the old leadership.
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Party insiders said the INEC’s decision was based on its review of documents submitted following the party’s recent convention, which produced Mark and his team as the new leadership.
The commission’s endorsement gives Mark’s group the authority to function as the party’s authentic executives. It thus has the powers to convene meetings, submit candidates for elections, and represent the party in official matters.
But Kachikwu, who contested the party’s presidential ticket in the 2023 general election, told The Nation on the phone yesterday: “I will rather wait for the court pronouncement over this. We are in court. The INEC position has not changed until the legal process is completed.”
It was learnt that while INEC’s recognition may have strengthened the position of the Mark-led executives, the final word may come from the courts, where rival factions continue to challenge the process that produced the new leadership.
Efforts to reach the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, were unsuccessful last night.
Bala has maintained that he is the authentic interim National Chairman, as provided for by the party’s constitution, for their reaction.