CALABAR —The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River state has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the commission restrain what it describes as an “illegal” Interim National Caretaker Committee from parading itself as the party’s leadership.
The ultimatum was contained in a detailed press address delivered on Tuesday by Dr MacFarlane Ejah, who serves as the State Vice Chairman (Central) and Director of Policy and Strategy for the ADC in Cross River state. The address was made available to journalists on Wednesday.
Ejah alleged that on July 29, 2025, a group of individuals met at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, and purportedly passed a resolution dissolving the democratically elected National Executive Officers of the ADC. The group subsequently announced an Interim National Caretaker Committee comprising Senator David Mark as Interim National Chairman, Ogbenni Rauf Aregbesola as Interim National Secretary, Ms. Jaikky Wayas as Interim National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Pastor Usani Uguru Usami as Assistant National Chairman (South-South), and 47 others.
According to the ADC in the state, the purported caretaker structure has no basis in the party’s constitution.
“The 2018 Constitution of the ADC does not recognize ‘Interim’ or ‘Caretaker’ structures,” Ejah stated in the address. “Article 18 (ii and iii) and Article 17 (c) are unambiguous: officers at all levels—from the Ward to the National stage—must be produced through elective Congresses.”
The state chapter further invoked Section 82(1) of the 2026 Electoral Act, which mandates that political parties operate through democratically elected organs. Ejah described the Chelsea Hotel meeting as an event that gave “legal life” to a process that was “dead on arrival.”
Seven-Day Ultimatum to INEC
The state chapter revealed that it has formally approached INEC under Section 81(5) of the 2026 Electoral Act, requesting the commission to:
– Restrain Senator David Mark and his committee from parading themselves as national leaders of the ADC;
– Halt the planned congresses scheduled for April 7–14, 2026;
– Ensure that any leadership transition in the ADC follows the strict prescriptions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
“We have given INEC a seven-day window to act,” Ejah said. “Should they remain dormant in their duty, we will approach the High Court to command due compliance with the law.”
The seven-day ultimatum, if not heeded, sets the stage for a potential legal battle that could disrupt the party’s preparations for the 2027 General Elections.
Risk of ‘Legal Stillbirth’ for 2027 Candidates
The state warned that if an illegal leadership conducts the upcoming congresses and conventions, every candidate that emerges could face legal challenges that strip them of legitimacy.
“We are speaking up now because the clock for the 2027 General Elections has started,” Ejah said. “If an illegal leadership conducts the upcoming congresses and conventions, every candidate may emerge with no legitimacy granted.”
He described this scenario as a potential “legal stillbirth” and noted that Nigerian political parties have in the past lost entire states because their internal processes were found to be faulty.
“We will not allow the ADC to become a judicial casualty in 2027,” he added.
Internal Democracy Under Threat
The press address framed the crisis as part of a broader failure of internal democracy within Nigerian political parties. Ejah argued that a party seeking to lead Nigeria must first demonstrate the ability to govern itself according to its own laws.
“A political party is the primary vehicle for leadership,” he said. “If the wheels of that vehicle are broken by illegality, the passengers—who are the Nigerian voters and candidates—are headed for a crash.”
He also took aim at the presence of INEC officials at the Chelsea Hotel meeting, arguing that their attendance did not cure the fundamental unconstitutionality of the process.
“The presence of INEC officials at such meetings does not give legal life to a process that was dead on arrival,” he said.
Background: ADC Constitutional Provisions
According to the party in the state, the 2018 ADC Constitution explicitly requires that all party officers be elected through congresses. Articles 17(c) and 18(ii-iii) were cited as the governing provisions, though the faction did not release the full text of the articles.
The 2026 Electoral Act—specifically Section 82(1)—reinforces this by mandating that political parties operate through democratically elected organs. Section 82(2) grants INEC powers to intervene in party affairs where breaches of constitution or electoral law occur, though the extent of those powers remains a frequent subject of litigation.
What Comes Next?
As of press time, INEC had not issued a public response to the faction’s petition. The seven-day ultimatum expires on April 7, 2026—the same date the faction says the contested national congresses are scheduled to begin.
Should INEC fail to act, the Cross River chapter has indicated it will seek judicial relief, potentially seeking an injunction to halt the congresses and a declaratory judgment nullifying the caretaker committee.
