The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, has accused former Senate President David Mark of orchestrating an illegal takeover of the party’s leadership structure.

Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, Kachikwu alleged that Mark and his allies sidelined elected executives and replaced them with loyalists through what he described as unlawfully constituted committees.

The allegations come a day after a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising congresses organised by the Mark-led faction and barred its leaders from interfering with the tenure of elected state executives.

Kachikwu argued that the party’s constitution clearly assigns the conduct of congresses and conventions to state chairmen, describing the use of ad hoc committees as a violation of internal processes.

He claimed the committees were used to override state structures and install preferred officials, triggering complaints from members across the country who felt excluded.

According to him, some state chairmen who initially supported Mark later withdrew their backing after allegedly being sidelined by the faction.

Kachikwu further said the court had nullified the congresses and convention organised by the group, describing the process as illegitimate.

In response, Mark, through the party’s publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, assured members that the ADC would participate in the 2027 elections, noting that the party had filed an appeal and sought a stay of execution of the ruling.

“You do not have anything to be afraid of regarding all the litigations… we shall be on the ballot for every election,” the statement read.

The leadership dispute is now before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which is expected to rule on Mark’s appeal challenging an earlier directive to maintain the status quo.

Observers say the outcome of the case could determine the party’s stability and readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.