INEC has confirmed David Mark as ADC Chairman with Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary, as the party repositions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognised the new leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Senate President, David Mark.
The move, announced on Wednesday, follows months of internal restructuring within the party.
The change in leadership began on July 2, 2025, when the ADC’s founder and pioneer National Chairman, Dr. Ralph Nwosu, confirmed a sweeping transition.
IREPORT247NEWS recalls that Nwosu revealed that senior officials had stepped aside to allow new figures to take charge.
“We all decided to resign so that Mark can paddle this canoe and get us to the Villa,” Nwosu said, stressing that the decision was aimed at uniting the party and preparing it to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
The restructuring coincided with David Mark’s dramatic resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he had been a founding member and key power broker for decades.
Speaking on July 1, Mark confirmed his departure after “extensive consultations with family, political allies, and close associates.”
“I have given my all to the PDP, but at this point in Nigeria’s history, I believe the opposition must come together under a fresh banner to protect our democracy and give Nigerians hope,” Mark said.
He added that he had joined a newly formed National Coalition of Political Opposition Movements in Nigeria, a broad alliance designed to challenge APC’s dominance.
In his acceptance speech as Interim National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola criticised Nigeria’s political culture, describing it as “a platform for opportunism rather than service.”
He pledged to ensure the ADC does not repeat such mistakes:
“The ADC must become a disciplined, structured, and ideologically-driven political force.
“We cannot be just another vehicle for power grabs; we must stand for transparency, democracy, and the genuine transformation of our society,” Aregbesola said.
Under the reconstituted structure, David Mark now serves as National Chairman, while former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been appointed National Secretary.
Other officers confirmed by INEC include Dr. Ibrahim Mani (Treasurer), Akibu Dalhatu (Financial Secretary), and Professor Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor (Legal Adviser).
Until recently, INEC’s records still reflected the old leadership, with Nwosu as Chairman and Said Abdullahi as Secretary.
Others on that list were Kelvin Alagoa (Treasurer), Ifeyinwa Ntima (Financial Secretary), and Barrister Ujunwa Onwuasoeze (Legal Adviser).
Reacting to the development on Channels Television, ADC spokesman Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed suggestions of a leadership crisis.
“What we have is the completion of the administrative process of changing the leadership of the ADC from where we were coming from to where we want to be.
“So, there is no question of any other leadership of the ADC,” Abdullahi said in an interview on Channels Television.
Abdullahi maintained that the transition was peaceful, noting that the previous executives resigned en masse to allow new officers to take over.
“Now, we have taken over, and our duty is to show INEC that a NEC meeting was held and present the new leadership,” he added.
With INEC’s recognition secured, the David Mark-led executive is set to consolidate the ADC’s position as a key opposition force ahead of 2027.