The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognised the new leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) headed by former Senate President David Mark.
The confirmation, published on INEC’s website and sighted on Wednesday, followed an internal restructuring within the party that produced new national officers to reposition the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC listed Mark as interim national chairman and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary. Other officers include former Edo governor Oserheimen Osunbor as national legal adviser, Ibrahim Mani as national treasurer, and Akibu Dalhatu as national financial secretary.
The opposition coalition had adopted the ADC as its platform on 2 July 2025, pledging to contest the 2027 presidential and general elections. At the unveiling, Mark declared that the coalition’s mission was to “rescue Nigeria, rebuild Nigeria, and return power to the people”, while accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of hijacking democratic institutions and edging the country towards dictatorship.
Prominent figures in the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi. Others present were Senator Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, and retired Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
Meanwhile, Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, dismissed the coalition as a gathering of “enemies of Nigeria”, accusing its members of recycling failed leaders and dragging the nation backwards.
President Bola Tinubu also downplayed the coalition’s challenge, describing its members as “internally displaced politicians.”