Ralph Nwosu, former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has strongly defended the legitimacy of the party’s recent leadership transition. He insisted that the state chairmen now protesting were fully involved in the process. This process led to Senator David Mark’s election as the new national chairman.
In a pointed interview on ARISE NEWS, Nwosu, who handed over to the new leadership, accused the dissenting chairmen of selective amnesia. He urged media houses to act as “custodians of information” and pointed to archived footage as proof.
“You see, I’ve advised, and it’s important. Media houses are supposed to be custodians of information,” Nwosu said.
“I know that in some of your reels, you have all the activities that we did from 2024, 2025, to what happened in 2025 where David Mark became the chairman.”
He addressed claims that the transition lacked consensus: “All the state chairmen that are now complaining that Nwosu’s tenure ended — they were all in meetings with Nwosu.
“They wrote to INEC that they wanted to come back to the party. INEC organised what we call ADR — Alternative Dispute Resolution. And from there, we decided to reabsorb them into the party.”
Widespread Participation
Nwosu emphasised that the complainants, including figures like Nafiu bala, actively participated in key events. “All the programs that happened in 2024, 2025, culminating to David Mark becoming the national chairman — they were part of it. If you bring your reel of July 2nd, they were there at Yar’Adua Centre. They were all clapping,” he stated.
He further noted that on July 29, 2025, a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting was convened with a clear agenda shared with INEC and all state chapters. The agenda was to select new leadership. “We had about five different meetings, and they were all there,” Nwosu added. “A part of my challenge is that you, as an organisation, you have it, because your media people were there.”
When asked whether the new leadership gave fair representation to legacy ADC members, Nwosu confirmed: “In that leadership, out of about 29 persons, legacy ADC or the old ADC, we had eight persons, which was a fair share of members. Dr. Ajadi was a part of the old ADC. He’s the deputy chairman in this new body. The national treasurer, Dr. Mani, is a part of the leadership.”
He concluded by reiterating that everyone — “from Bala to all of the state chairmen” — was present, along with INEC officials and media. “You can go back to the archive and see. All the agencies were there. INEC was also there.”
The interview comes amid reports of a new faction emerging within the ADC as the party works towards a fresh national convention. Several state chairmen have publicly complained about the process, claiming they were sidelined or taken by surprise.
