A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has elected Abdulkadir Bashir as the new National Chairman to lead the party for the next four years.

The faction which held its national convention in Abuja on Sunday said the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Senator David Mark has been dissolved.

The motion for the dissolution was moved by the Benue ADC Chairman, Allias Adiku, and seconded by his Zamfara State counterpart, Kabiru Garuba.

The motion was adopted by a voice vote.

The convention also ratified the adoption of the party’s 2018 constitution, as amended, as the operational framework guiding activities and administration within the ADC

Other elected National Working Committee members included Kingsley Ogah as Board of Trustees Chairman, Johnny Derek as Deputy National Chairman, and Kennedy Odion as the National Secretary, among others.

Bashir in his acceptance speech, called for unity, fairness, and inclusive leadership, urging members to work collectively toward rebuilding and strengthening the party.

He pledged commitment to democratic principles, transparency, and accountable leadership within the party.

The Chairman, who said he began active politics in 1999 and as vice presidential candidate on the platform of the United Democratic Party before joining the ADC subsequently, said he was among those who introduced ADC in North West.

“I contributed significantly to building the ADC structure in Katsina State and strengthening the party’s presence across the Northwest geopolitical zone,” he stated.

He attributed the party’s previous internal crisis to selfish interests and attempts by some former leaders to maintain permanent control of the party structure nationwide.

“This is a political party, not a private enterprise. Every political organisation must operate according to established rules, regulations, and democratic constitutional principles,” he said.

He promised good leadership, transparency, fairness, tolerance, and loyalty, adding that politics was fundamentally about serving citizens responsibly and inclusively.

“A good leader must be transparent, just, tolerant, and loyal because politics is ultimately about representing and serving the interests of citizens responsibly,” he stated.

He said members who resisted injustice and selfishness within the party faced opposition but remained committed to defending democratic processes through lawful and legitimate means.

“By the grace of God, we fought through lawful processes and reclaimed the party structure for members committed to democratic accountability and responsible leadership,” Bashir added.

He called on aggrieved members to forgive the past differences, return to the party, and contribute collectively toward building a stronger political organisation for national development.

“Let us unite and continue the good work already started for the success of the ADC, Nigeria, and the collective progress of our people,” Bashir concluded.