State leaders await directives from Abuja
The major challenges to the quest by the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) for power in 2027 are beginning to manifest, five weeks after many opposition politicians formally adopted it as the vehicle for their aspiration.
The battle for the party’s leadership, which broke out as soon as former Senate President David Mark was named the interim national chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, has continued unabated.
Some party functionaries in the old dispensation are refusing to acknowledge any change in leadership, with some even going to court to challenge what they call illegal takeover.
Africa Democratic Congress (ADC)
Some others, including the party’s presidential candidate in 2023 Dumebi Kachikwu, are threatening more litigation.
Chairmen of the party in Borno, Benue and Nasarawa states are resisting the new leadership in Abuja.
Investigation by The Nation across the states revealed that despite the fanfare that attended the July 1, 2025 adoption of ADC by the opposition, its presence in many states appears too feeble for a party that hopes to displace the ruling one.
It was gathered that the new NEC of the party is yet to settle down and understand the needs and challenges of the state chapters.
On their part, the state chapters, which are in tune with the new leaders in Abuja, are awaiting directives on how to get the party going at the grassroots.
In Lagos, Kaduna, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Delta, Borno, Edo, Sokoto, Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Kebbi states, among others, the ADC looks more like a fringe party.
Although the George Hashiru-led executive committee in Lagos State remains in office, no notable politician has so far switched allegiance.
The state remains a stronghold of the APC, which won the July 12 local government elections overwhelmingly.
In neighboring Ogun State, the only time ADC made waves was 2019 when Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka contested that year’s governorship election against the man who later won, Prince Dapo Abiodun of APC.
ADC has since slipped into obscurity following Isiaka’s defection to the APC.
He is currently the member of the House of Representatives for Imeko/Afon.
Otunba Femi Soluade, son of the Second Republic Deputy Governor of Ogun state, is the current Chairman of ADC in the state.
Notable ADC members in Ekiti and their profiles
In Ekiti State, the only recent notable additions to the party are Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, Dr. Sikiru Lawal, Dare Abejide, Gboyega Aribisogan and Chief Segun Akinwunmi
Olusola-Eleka was deputy governor under Governor Ayo Fayose between 2014 and 2018, and was PDP’s governorship candidate in 2018. He lost to ex-governor Kayode Fayemi with a narrow margin.
