ADC Crisis: Cross River Chapter Rejects Caretaker Committee

The Cross River State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has opposed the formation of an interim national caretaker committee, describing the move as unconstitutional and potentially damaging to the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

The position was made public on Tuesday by the State Vice Chairman (Central) and Director of Policy and Strategy, Dr. MacFarlane Ejah, during a press briefing at the Ernest Bassey Press Centre in Calabar.

Ejah expressed concern over what he called a growing decline in internal democracy within the party at the national level, warning that such developments could undermine the party’s credibility and electoral prospects.

He linked the controversy to a meeting held on July 29, 2025, at the Chelsea Hotel in Abuja, where a group reportedly dissolved the elected National Executive Committee and announced the formation of an interim caretaker committee.

Among those named in the committee are David Mark as interim national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as interim national secretary, alongside other members.

According to Ejah, the action violates the party’s 2018 constitution, which he said does not recognise interim or caretaker leadership at any level.

“There is no provision for emergency powers that allows individuals to appoint themselves into leadership positions. Any such process is null and void,” he said.

He warned that allowing an illegitimate leadership structure to oversee congresses and conventions could jeopardise the legitimacy of candidates for the 2027 elections.

“If an illegal leadership conducts congresses, every candidate that emerges from such a process risks disqualification. We have seen political parties lose entire electoral victories due to faulty internal processes,” he stated.

Ejah further revealed that he had submitted a formal petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the electoral body to intervene in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The petition seeks to stop the caretaker committee from presenting itself as the party’s legitimate leadership and to halt the congresses scheduled between April 7 and 14, 2026.

He added that the party had issued a seven-day ultimatum to INEC to act, failing which legal action would be pursued.

“We are committed members of the ADC and do not want our party dragged into illegality. We are demanding a return to the status quo where leadership emerges through democratic processes,” he said.

Ejah emphasised that internal democracy is a constitutional obligation, not a matter of convenience, urging all stakeholders to respect the rule of law within the party.