Several state chapters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have distanced themselves from a pending court action aimed at removing Senator David Mark as national chairman of the party.
The Imo, Rivers, and Lagos State chapters issued separate statements condemning the lawsuit, which was filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala at an Abuja Federal High Court. The chapters insisted they were not consulted before the suit was filed and described the legal move as unauthorized and unrepresentative.
Chief Leader Sampson (Rivers), Dr. James Okoroma (Imo), and George Ashiru (Lagos), state chairmen of ADC, jointly called on other state chapters to reject the action, emphasizing that the suit reflects only the position of the individuals involved and does not represent the views of their state structures.
Bala is seeking not only the removal of David Mark but also a declaration recognizing himself as the legitimate national chairman. The lawsuit accuses Mark and the National Working Committee (NWC) of attempting to hijack the party’s leadership.
Despite the ongoing legal tussle, the disowning chapters reaffirmed their loyalty to Senator Mark’s leadership, expressing confidence in the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms. They also reiterated their commitment to internal democracy, the rule of law, and unity within the ADC.
In their statements, the chapters cautioned against presenting individual actions as collective decisions, underscoring the importance of party cohesion amid the leadership crisis.
