ADC Faction Adopts Dumebi Kachikwu as Sole 2027 Presidential Candidate

A faction of the African Democratic Congress led by its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has adopted him as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The decision was announced on Sunday during the party’s National Convention held at A-Class Event Centre in Abuja.

Chairman of the convention’s electoral committee and Benue State party chairman, Elias Adikwu, confirmed Kachikwu’s adoption, which was subsequently ratified by delegates at the gathering.

The newly elected National Chairman of the faction, Abdulkadir Mohammed Bashir, presented Kachikwu with the party flag as a symbol of his mandate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The convention also produced new members of the party’s National Working Committee.

Among those elected were Kingsley Oggah as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Johnny Tovie Derek as Deputy National Chairman, Kennedy O. Odion as National Secretary, Dr Joe Aroh as National Treasurer and Elias Adikwu as National Organising Secretary.

Others include Dr Chris Ugwu as National Legal Adviser and Patrick Ambut as National Chief Whip.

The development comes amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC following a separate convention held earlier in Abuja by another faction led by former Senate President David Mark.

At the April 14, 2026 convention, the Mark-led faction amended the party’s constitution and elected David Mark as substantive National Chairman despite internal disputes and legal battles.

That faction also expelled former factional chairman Nafiu Bala, alongside Rep. Leke Abejide and other members over alleged anti-party activities and court actions.

The Mark-led convention attracted several major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as part of a broader coalition effort aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections.

The emergence of Kachikwu as candidate under the rival faction further highlights the deepening divisions within the ADC ahead of the next electoral cycle.