The embattled National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Peoples Redemption Party as the leadership crisis rocking the ADC continues to intensify.
The meeting, which was held away from the public glare, brought together key figures from both parties, fuelling speculation about growing alignments among opposition actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those present at the meeting were the National Chairman of the PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; the PRP National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq; and former National Vice Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman.
Baba-Ahmed recently assumed leadership of the PRP after resigning his position as Special Adviser on Political Matters to Vice President Kashim Shettima in April 2025, a development widely interpreted as his return to active partisan politics.
Although neither party issued an official statement after the meeting, sources familiar with the discussions said the talks centred on the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC.
According to The PUNCH, a party chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity said the PRP used the meeting to express solidarity with the Mark-led leadership of the ADC amid its dispute with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The PRP expressed strong solidarity with the ADC regarding its ongoing dispute with INEC and other government institutions,” the source said.
“The party unequivocally condemned the assaults and anti-democratic actions being directed at the ADC by certain forces, emphasising that such conduct undermines our democracy and jeopardises the nation’s stability.”
Responding during the meeting, Mark reportedly thanked the PRP leadership for its show of support.
He noted that the PRP had remained the only political party to publicly align with the ADC during the ongoing crisis.
“The ADC also expressed hope that the positive relationship between the two parties will remain harmonious, prioritising the collective interests of the nation,” Mark was quoted as saying.
The meeting came amid rising tensions within the ADC following the emergence of a third faction within the party.
The faction recently endorsed the decision of INEC to withdraw recognition from the Mark-led leadership, citing a Court of Appeal judgment.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the group said the electoral body’s action was consistent with the court ruling.
The faction also rejected the leadership claim of Nafiu Bala Gombe, insisting that he did not emerge through any credible or recognised process.
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The group further accused former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, of attempting to transfer the party’s structure to individuals it described as non-members allegedly aligned with Mark.
Comprising some state chairmen, the faction claimed it convened a valid National Executive Committee meeting at the Abuja office of Dumebi Kachikwu, where it took decisions on a new leadership structure.
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