ADC National Publicity Secretary, Dumebi Kachikwu faction, Don Norman, has insisted that a Federal High Court judgment has stripped the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of legitimacy, describing it as an interim structure that no longer exists in law or practice, amid escalating leadership disputes and parallel party conventions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Norman maintained that his faction represents the legitimate authority of the party, dismissing claims that the ADC is divided into competing factions, even as both sides continue parallel presidential primaries and leadership claims.
He argued that the ongoing crisis stems from misinterpretation of court rulings and deliberate attempts to mislead Nigerians about the party’s true leadership structure.
Norman rejected the notion that the ADC is split into factions, insisting that his group represents the constitutional leadership of the party.
“I want to tell Nigerians it is not like the Dumebi Kachikwu faction or David Mark faction; I recognise only the ADC where I belong. I am a member of the ADC National Executive Committee. I am the ADC elected chairman, and that makes me a legitimate member of the ADC National Executive Committee, like the rest of the state chairmen. We are the highest organ of the ADC in Nigeria.”
He further maintained that the National Working Committee had once been properly constituted before being affected by a court judgment.
“The National Working Committee led by David Mark was actually ratified by the National Working Committee of the ADC, which I am still a member of. So it cannot be said that we are a faction; rather, we are the highest decision-making body of the ADC.”
Norman alleged that key details of the court judgment are being concealed from the public.
“That is an attempt to confuse Nigerians from knowing the truth of the matter. The truth is that they are hiding a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained the National Working Committee led by David Mark.”
According to Norman, a Federal High Court ruling delivered on 29 April altered the structure of authority within the party, particularly regarding congresses and conventions.
“On 29 April this year, the Federal High Court gave eight judgments, among them two perpetual injunctions. The injunction restrained the National Working Committee from dealing with the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the ADC.”
“It also took the power of convoking national convention and congresses away from them and returned it to the state chairmen and state working committees, who are constitutionally empowered to conduct these exercises.”
He insisted the ruling effectively invalidated the rival leadership’s authority.
“What we are seeing is not a validation problem. It is the body which certified the National Working Committee taking back what legitimacy it earlier gave them.”
Norman added that attempts to suspend or delay the ruling had failed.
“They went to court to appeal the Federal High Court judgment, and they also filed a stay of execution, which the court refused to grant. If there was nothing to execute, why did they go for a stay of execution?”
He further stated that the party’s legal adviser had formally instructed compliance.
“A letter was written by our legal adviser to the David Mark leadership reminding them of the need to respect the court judgment and stay away from anything that violates it. One of the tenets of democracy is obeying court orders under the rule of law.”
On questions surrounding control of the ADC membership register, reportedly numbering 3.4 million members, Norman said it is a collective party asset rather than faction-controlled.
“Like I said before, it is an ADC document. ADC membership registration is a continuous process. It is not about me having custody of it.”
“The National Executive Committee of the ADC runs the day-to-day affairs of the party.”
Norman also addressed claims that external interests funded the legal challenge that produced the disputed judgment, insisting the case was financed internally by party stakeholders.
“I am the spokesperson of the ADC forum since 2022. I can show you records where ADC state chairmen contributed ₦500,000 each for the court case. Some contributed ₦1 million each. We paid the lawyers from those contributions.”
“I do not know of anybody who paid money to the ADC chairman to pursue this case.”
He said the dispute was rooted in constitutional disagreements over control of party structures.
“The issue was not about entrance into the party, but about attempts to remove ADC chairmen without regard for their tenure.”
“It is the duty of ADC state chairmen to convene congresses in their various states. When a committee was set up to conduct congresses contrary to the constitution, we went to court.”
Norman criticised what he described as competing leadership structures conducting parallel political activities.
“There is flag era confusion. Both groups are organising parallel primaries. I am still confused about who is the legitimate chairman.”
“The legitimate group of the ADC is the one led by the National Executive Committee. They are the highest organ of the party.”
He insisted that valid primaries cannot hold without recognised party structures.
“You cannot conduct primaries without NEC recognition and without state chairmen. You cannot do that.”
“Who are the delegates conducting these primaries? It is illegal.”
Norman confirmed that his faction recently held a convention where new officials were elected and said the outcome would be forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The ADC conducted a convention on Sunday, 25 May 2026, and new officers were elected. I was elected as National Publicity Secretary and other members of the NEC were also elected.”
“As we speak, we are taking the results of the convention to the Independent National Electoral Commission, and by tomorrow everything will be concluded.”
“We expect INEC to recognise the new executive officers of the ADC.”
However, he acknowledged that INEC did not attend the convention.
“From the letter we sent to INEC, they indicated they would attend, but they did not come. They were not present at the convention.”
Norman maintained that the David Mark-led National Working Committee is no longer valid, describing it as a temporary structure that has been overtaken by legal developments.
“The David Mark National Working Committee of the ADC is sitting on the past right now. It only existed as an interim body of the party, and once something is interim, it means it is temporary.”
“Every time we come on television and talk about it, we are referring to a body that no longer exists. It is a disservice to the ADC and to Nigerians who want to join the party.”
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
