Fresh controversy has erupted within the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) after the party’s South-East bloc accused its national leadership of attempting to impose candidates and delaying the release of outstanding primary election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group warned that any attempt to sideline candidates who emerged through transparent primaries could trigger internal unrest and weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 polls.

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Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Chairman of the NDC South-East in the Federal Capital Territory, Maxwell Igbokwe, called on the party leadership to uphold internal democracy and ensure that only candidates who won lawful primary elections are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, the continued delay in releasing the results of some primaries conducted over two months ago has raised concerns among party members and could deepen divisions within the opposition party.

“We call on the leadership of our party to uphold the NDC constitution, respect the outcome of a transparent and lawful primary process, and ensure that no individual is imposed on the people,” Igbokwe said.

He alleged that the House of Representatives primary for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory had been manipulated, adding that recent developments suggested attempts to bypass the democratic process.

The South-East bloc also referenced public comments reportedly made by the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, indicating that the House of Representatives ticket had been offered to activist Aisha Yesufu despite the fact that she neither purchased nomination forms nor declared interest in the contest.

The group further cited remarks allegedly made by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, claiming that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, personally appealed to Yesufu to accept the nomination, but she declined.

Igbokwe maintained that the reported sequence of events raises serious concerns about the credibility of the party’s nomination process.

“Our findings raise further concerns. We have reason to believe the party’s national leadership has been attempting to substitute or impose a candidate outside the established democratic process.

“If allowed to stand, such actions would undermine the credibility of our party, erode members’ confidence and violate the principles of fairness and due process on which the NDC was founded,” he said.

He stressed that the group’s intervention was aimed at protecting the party’s integrity and called on the leadership to resolve all outstanding primary disputes before the party concludes its candidate nomination process.

The controversy comes as INEC has granted the NDC access to its candidate nomination portal, allowing the party to upload the names of candidates for the 2027 general election before the statutory deadlines.

Reacting to the allegations, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, dismissed claims of candidate imposition, insisting that the Electoral Act allows political parties to adopt consensus where necessary.

He argued that if irregularities are discovered after direct primaries, the party has the legal right to apply consensus in selecting its candidates.

Director also denied that the party had imposed any candidate, saying complaints from aggrieved members were being addressed fairly and that no confirmed case of candidate imposition had been brought to his attention.

He further dismissed claims that politicians who allegedly lost primaries were later included in the party’s list submitted to INEC, insisting that all issues were being handled in accordance with the party’s internal processes.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide challenging the party’s leadership.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman held that Abejide’s suit lacked merit and upheld the preliminary objections filed by the ADC, its former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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The judge ruled that the court lacked the jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of the ADC, describing the matter as non-justiciable. He further held that Abejide failed to establish that any of his legal rights had been violated by the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.

Justice Liman also ruled that the lawmaker failed to exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism before approaching the court, a factor that further weakened his case.

The court resolved all three issues raised in the substantive suit in favour of the defendants.

On the question of whether David Mark and Aregbesola emerged as the party’s leaders in accordance with the law, Justice Liman held that the transfer of leadership from former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu to Mark did not violate any provision of the ADC constitution.

The court further agreed that the July 2, 2025 meeting, where the leadership transition began, was a stakeholders’ meeting that preceded the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025.

According to the judgment, the NEC meeting, which was monitored by INEC, validly produced David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the party.

Justice Liman consequently declared that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola complied with the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and all relevant party regulations.

The court also imposed financial penalties on the plaintiff and his counsel.

Abejide was ordered to pay ₦2 million each to all the defendants, while his lawyer was fined ₦10 million in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, was filed on February 15 by Abejide against the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and INEC as the first to fifth defendants respectively.

In the originating summons, Abejide sought eight reliefs before the court, including an order nullifying Nwosu’s handover of the party’s leadership to David Mark and Aregbesola during the July 2, 2025 stakeholders’ meeting held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

He argued that the handover was illegal, unlawful, null and void and urged the court to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.

The lawmaker also sought a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognising the duo as leaders of the ADC, maintaining that their emergence did not comply with the requirements of Section 82 of the Electoral Act and other relevant provisions.

However, the court rejected all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, affirming that the leadership transition was valid and carried out in accordance with the law.

The judgment marks a significant legal victory for the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC, effectively ending the legal challenge against the party’s current leadership and strengthening its position ahead of political realignments and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician and party chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, as his official campaign spokesperson.

Okonkwo announced the appointment in a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, expressing gratitude to Atiku for entrusting him with the responsibility.

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“I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he said.

The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson described the appointment as a testament to Atiku’s leadership style, noting that the former vice president embraces dialogue, inclusiveness and compromise rather than taking offence when associates express differing opinions.

According to Okonkwo, discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the ADC addressed concerns surrounding the political interests of the South-East within the framework of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the current political realities.

He said the engagement reassured stakeholders that the interests of the South-East had been recognised and safeguarded despite the prevailing challenges.

Okonkwo also appreciated Dr. Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Ekene Onwuka, for their efforts in strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

He further thanked his family, supporters and friends for their prayers and encouragement, while seeking continued support as he assumes the new role.

“I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision and protection needed to carry out this challenging responsibility, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he added.

The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo publicly criticised reports that the ADC was considering a South-South vice-presidential candidate, arguing that such a decision would further marginalise the South-East, which has not produced either the President or Vice President since 1999.

Despite the concerns, the ADC later named former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate after the former vice president secured the party’s presidential ticket.