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The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State has fiercely decried the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise the leadership of the party by Senator David Mark’s executive. The party leaders, who gathered in Otukpo last Thursday, April 2, 2026, described INEC as a partial umpire working with the ruling party to entrench a one-party system in the country. They stressed that they would do everything possible within the ambit of the law to resist what they called INEC’s mischief and continue with their planned convention undeterred.
Former Speaker Pro-tem of the House of Representatives, Terngu Tsegba, said INEC was working in tandem with the government of the day to kill opposition in the country. He declared that no amount of shenanigans orchestrated by the electoral body and the ruling government would deter the African Democratic Congress from appearing on the ballot in 2027.
The wife of the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Chief (Mrs) Helen Onma Mark, charged members of the party not to be despaired by the ignoble action of INEC, saying the plan was being resisted by the national leadership of the party. “Their evil plan will not stand. Our National Chairman and other prominent leaders of our party are already taking action in Abuja and that is why our National Chairman is not here with us at the moment. Don’t be disturbed by what is happening as it will not stand,” she said.
Two governorship aspirants, Dr Peter Adejo and Joseph Waya, also condemned the action of INEC in strong terms, telling the mammoth crowd that the conspiratorial action by INEC and the ruling All Progressives Congress was a sign that defeat is already staring them in the face. House of Representatives hopefuls Solomon Eigege, Akpoda, Innocent Omudu, Adoyi Ojogbane and others said the attempt by the electoral body would not deter them from continuing with their mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election, assuring that they would work assiduously towards defeating the present government.
On his part, Sir John Ngbede urged members not to lose steam, charging them to return to their local governments and intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of imminent party congresses. Former member of the House of Representatives representing Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, Samson Okwu, echoed the same sentiment, calling the development an “April Fool” and insisting that despite APC’s control of many states, the ruling party remains jittery over ADC’s rising profile.
David Olofu, a formidable senatorial hopeful, warned against any attempt to derail democracy, stressing that Nigerians would not be dragged back to what he metaphorically described as “the days of five leprous hands.” Delivering the message of Senator David Mark, Peter Ede maintained that the status quo remains, insisting Mark is still the party’s national chairman and that INEC’s action raises serious questions about its neutrality.
The gathering ended on a note of resolve, with party faithful vowing to stay the course, convinced that no force can halt what they repeatedly described as a “moving train” heading into 2027.
