Senator David Mark, the embattled National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, met with officials of the Peoples Redemption Party behind closed doors on Friday, in what looks to be a new round of political consultations amid the party’s persistent leadership crisis.
The high-level meeting, held out of the public eye, brought together major figures from both parties, highlighting strengthening alignments among opposition actors during a period of increased internal bickering within the ADC.
Those in attendance included Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the new National Chairman of the PRP; Mark; Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary; his PRP counterpart, Muhammed Ishaq; and Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress.
Baba-Ahmed, having just assumed leadership of the PRP, resigned from his job as Special Adviser on Political Matters to Vice President Kashim Shettima in April 2025, a decision largely interpreted as a return to active partisan politics.
Although neither party issued an official statement following the meeting, a senior official familiar with the discussions said the PRP used the opportunity to reaffirm its support for the ADC leadership in its ongoing dispute with the Independent National Electoral Commission and other state agencies.
“The PRP expressed strong solidarity with the ADC regarding its ongoing dispute with the Independent National Electoral Commission and other government institutions.
“The party unequivocally condemned the assaults and anti-democratic actions being directed at the ADC by certain forces, emphasizing that such conduct undermines our democracy and jeopardizes the nation’s stability,” the source said.
Mark expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, pointing out that the PRP had been the only political party to publicly align with the ADC during the crisis.
“The ADC also expressed hope that the positive relationship between the two parties will remain harmonious, prioritizing the collective interests of the nation,” he said.
The meeting comes amid rising tensions inside the ADC, following the formation of a third faction that recently supported the Independent National Electoral Commission’s move to withdraw recognition from the Mark-led leadership.
At a press conference in Abuja, the faction defended INEC’s move, claiming that it was consistent with a Court of Appeal decision.
The organization also rejected Nafiu Bala Gombe’s leadership, claiming he did not emerge through a genuine or well-known procedure.
It also accused former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu of wanting to take over the party structure for non-members who purportedly agreed with Mark.
The section, which included some state chairmen, said it held a genuine National Executive Committee meeting at Dumebi Kachikwu’s Abuja office, where it made critical decisions, including the formation of a new leadership structure.
