The embattled National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Peoples Redemption Party, in what appears to be a fresh round of political consultations amid the party’s lingering leadership crisis.

The high-level meeting, held away from the public glare, brought together key figures from both parties, underscoring growing alignments among opposition actors at a time of heightened internal wrangling within the ADC.

Those in attendance included the new National Chairman of the PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; Mark; ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; his PRP counterpart, Muhammed Ishaq; and former National Vice Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, among others.

Baba-Ahmed, who recently assumed leadership of the PRP, had resigned his position as Special Adviser on Political Matters to Vice President Kashim Shettima in April 2025, a move widely seen as signalling a return to active partisan politics.

Although neither party issued an official statement after the meeting, a top chieftain familiar with the deliberations said the PRP used the opportunity to reaffirm its backing for the ADC leadership in its ongoing dispute with the Independent National Electoral Commission and other state institutions.

“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, emphasising that such conduct undermines our democracy and jeopardises the nation’s stability,” the source said.

In response, Mark appreciated the show of support, noting that the PRP had remained 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, prioritising the collective interests of the nation,” he said.

The meeting comes amid escalating tensions within the ADC, following the emergence of a third faction which recently endorsed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw recognition from the Mark-led leadership.

At a press conference in Abuja, the faction backed INEC’s action, stating that it was in line with a Court of Appeal judgment.

The group also rejected the leadership of Nafiu Bala Gombe, insisting he did not emerge through any credible or known process.

It further accused former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, of attempting to hand over the party structure to non-members allegedly aligned with Mark.

Comprising some state chairmen, the faction claimed it convened a valid National Executive Committee meeting at Dumebi Kachikwu’s Abuja office, where it took key decisions, including the emergence of a new leadership structure. (The PUNCH)

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