The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports claiming that former Senate President, David Mark, has stepped aside as the party’s national chairman to allow former chairman Ralph Nwosu to assume leadership ahead of its national convention.

The party described the report as false, insisting that there has been no change in its leadership structure.

The reaction followed an online publication which alleged that Mark had relinquished his position amid internal disagreements and pressure over the party’s leadership structure.

The report also claimed that Nwosu had been positioned to lead the party toward its national convention and stabilise its affairs ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the party refuted the claim.

Dismissing the report, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged members of the public to disregard the claim, describing it as fake news.

“Please note that reports circulating about a change in the leadership of the ADC are #FakeNews. Please disregard, flag, and report such content on any social media platform where you encounter it,” Abdullahi wrote in a post on 𝕏 on Sunday.

The clarification comes days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed the names of the party’s National Working Committee, led by Mark, from its official portal.

INEC said the action followed a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, directing parties involved in the leadership tussle to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The commission stated that the appellate court instructed all parties to refrain from actions that could affect the outcome of the case and to preserve the party’s structure prior to the dispute.

The decision followed a prolonged leadership crisis within the party, with factions led by Nafiu Gombe and David Mark laying claim to the ADC’s national leadership.

Despite INEC’s position, the Mark-led National Working Committee has rejected the commission’s interpretation of the court ruling and called for the dissolution of the electoral body.

The faction also insisted that preparations for the party’s national convention would continue.

The ADC has scheduled its national convention to be held in Abuja on April 14, even as the leadership dispute remains unresolved.