Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has criticised the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that the party risks jeopardising its chances of participating in the 2027 general elections because of its handling of internal leadership disputes.
Dalung, who serves as Director of the Mandate Protection Directorate of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, described the party’s current direction as a journey towards self-destruction.
He raised concerns over the planned inauguration of caretaker committee members across the 36 states, arguing that the exercise could undermine ongoing legal proceedings before the Supreme Court.
In a video statement shared by Viable, Dalung said appointment letters announcing the caretaker committee members had circulated on social media. He alleged that the appointments were made by the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, and involved individuals previously removed from their positions by court decisions.
According to him, the matter remains before the Supreme Court, deciding to appoint the affected individuals to new positions inappropriate while the legal process is still ongoing.
Dalung accused the party’s leadership of disregarding the judicial process, warning that the appointments could be interpreted as an attempt to influence or pre-empt the Supreme Court’s eventual decision.
He argued that the ADC could not challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision at the Supreme Court while simultaneously taking administrative steps that appeared to reinstate the same individuals whose removal was being contested.
The former minister urged the party to suspend the planned inauguration of the caretaker committees until the Supreme Court delivers its judgment.
He warned that proceeding with the exercise could damage the party’s legal position and put its participation in the 2027 elections at risk.
“Should the party proceed to inaugurate these persons, the consequences are obvious. It means ADC is not committed to participating in the 2027 election,” Dalung said.
He also questioned why the appointment letters were signed solely by the National Secretary rather than jointly by the National Chairman and National Secretary, as he argued was required by the party’s constitution and administrative procedures.
Dalung said the National Chairman’s absence from the appointment documents raised further questions about the leadership’s commitment to the decisions being taken.
He called on the national leadership to withdraw the appointment letters and maintain its appeal before the Supreme Court until the matter is resolved.
The former minister further cautioned that the party should not blame external forces if the Supreme Court eventually delivers a judgment against its position, describing any resulting setback as self-inflicted.
Dalung also distanced himself from the decision, insisting that he would not support any action capable of undermining the judiciary or the rule of law.
ADC’S LEADERSHIP CRISIS
The controversy comes amid prolonged leadership disputes within the ADC, particularly over its national leadership structure and state congresses.
In July, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld an earlier ruling restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership.
The crisis deepened on November 5, 2026, when the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the David Mark-led national leadership and invalidated the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
The ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the ruling.
Dalung’s latest warning adds to the growing concerns surrounding the party’s internal disputes, legal challenges and preparations for the next general elections.
