A fresh twist has emerged in the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as party chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo strongly defended the current leadership and warned of a coordinated effort to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Okonkwo, a lawyer and prominent voice within the party, dismissed ongoing legal challenges against the ADC leadership as baseless, arguing that the matter had already been settled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, INEC’s recognition of the leadership led by former Senate President David Mark remains valid and binding, regardless of ongoing disputes or interim court actions.
“Once INEC recognises you, you cannot use an interlocutory injunction to stop an action already executed,” he said, insisting that the party already has a legitimate national leadership in place.
He also took aim at those contesting the leadership structure, describing it as “ridiculous” for individuals—especially those who had previously resigned from the party—to approach the courts to challenge its authority.
On the contentious Court of Appeal directive, Okonkwo maintained that the order to maintain the “status quo” supports the current leadership, not a reversal to a previous arrangement.
“Maintaining status quo means you should not do anything that will disadvantage either party. INEC has already recognised us… what the court said confirmed our leadership,” he explained.
He rejected claims that the directive referred to a period before INEC’s recognition, arguing instead that the existing leadership must remain intact pending final judicial determination.
Okonkwo further criticised the legal strategy of the opposing faction, noting that an originating summons is only appropriate when facts are not in dispute—something he said does not apply in this case, given allegations of coercion and internal conflict.
Beyond the legal arguments, he raised concerns about what he described as external interference in the party’s affairs, suggesting that there may be attempts to weaken the ADC politically.
“If INEC changes its position under pressure, then you know there is influence from outside,” he warned, adding that repeated petitions and public campaigns against the leadership appear designed to sway the electoral body.
Calling for restraint, Okonkwo urged all parties to allow the courts to resolve the matter without resorting to media battles or political pressure.
“All these letters and propaganda should not replace due process,” he said.
The unfolding crisis, however, continues to expose deep divisions within the ADC, with competing factions offering sharply different interpretations of both the law and the party’s constitution.
For now, Okonkwo’s position is clear: the leadership stands—and any attempt to undo it, he argues, is not just legally flawed but politically motivated.
