According to a report by Vanguard on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, has criticised a faction within the party linked to former Senate President David Mark, describing them as individuals attempting to take over the party structure through what he called illegitimate means.
He made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing journalists following a recent court ruling that affected internal party congresses and leadership arrangements.
His comments came in response to a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja which nullified certain congresses and conventions previously organised by a disputed faction within the party, a development that has continued to shape internal discussions within the African Democratic Congress.
Kachikwu described the annulled congresses and conventions as improperly conducted processes, stating that they lacked legitimacy and did not follow the established rules guiding political party administration.
He referred to them as arrangements that could not stand legal scrutiny, noting that the court’s decision had now clarified the status of those political activities.
According to him, the judgment had effectively resolved the dispute surrounding the conduct of the congresses and reinforced the position that only constitutionally recognised structures within a political party have the authority to organise such activities.
He maintained that the ruling had brought clarity to a situation that had previously created confusion among members of the party across different states.
The former presidential candidate further stated that the court decision had validated concerns he had previously raised about attempts by certain individuals to take control of the party’s structure for personal or political advantage.
He explained that he had consistently warned about what he described as efforts to manipulate internal party processes in a way that could undermine the founding principles of the African Democratic Congress.
According to him, the recent judgment has confirmed that such concerns were not unfounded, as it addressed the legality of the disputed congresses and their organisers.
He added that the development has now placed responsibility on party stakeholders to ensure that internal governance processes are respected moving forward.
Kachikwu also used the opportunity to express strong criticism of those he associated with the disputed faction, referring to them in terms that suggest they were attempting to forcefully gain control of the party.
He described their actions as politically motivated moves that were not aligned with democratic principles or party rules.
He stated that their efforts to assert control over the party structure had been halted by the judicial system, which he said had acted based on constitutional provisions governing political organisations in the country.
According to him, the ruling has exposed the weaknesses in the faction’s claims and reinforced the importance of due process in political party administration.
He further noted that the court’s decision had brought an end to what he considered an attempt to destabilise the internal structure of the African Democratic Congress.
Kachikwu explained that political parties are expected to operate within clearly defined rules and that any attempt to bypass those rules creates unnecessary conflict and instability.
He stated that the ruling has now provided a legal reference point for resolving disputes relating to leadership and congress organisation within the party.
He also emphasized that the judgment should serve as a reminder that political processes must be guided by law rather than personal ambition or informal arrangements that lack constitutional backing.
In his remarks, Kachikwu also suggested that those involved in the disputed faction were now facing difficulties following the court’s decision.
He claimed that their attempts to influence or control the party structure had not succeeded and that the legal outcome had significantly reduced their leverage within the party.
He added that political actors who engage in actions that contradict established party rules often face setbacks when such matters are reviewed by the judiciary.
According to him, the court ruling has reaffirmed the importance of respecting internal party regulations and adhering strictly to democratic procedures in all political activities.
He further commented on the possibility of continued political movement by those affected by the judgment, stating that individuals who are dissatisfied with the outcome of internal party processes may seek alternative platforms.
He noted that such movements are part of the broader political environment in Nigeria, where party realignments and defections are not uncommon.
However, he maintained that the African Democratic Congress remains focused on strengthening its internal structure and maintaining order within its ranks following the court’s intervention.
Kachikwu stated that the party leadership is committed to ensuring stability and compliance with legal decisions affecting its organisation and operations.
He said, “These desperados have failed woefully. We hear they are already shopping for other parties to destabilise—we wish them bon voyage.”
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