“We arrived to see the ADC leadership. We are on a visit of solidarity. Today’s protest, the court, and the political arena have all shown us what has been going on. We come to demonstrate our unity and pledge to maintain a clean democratic environment in our nation.”

According to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the visit on Wednesday to David Mark, the factional head of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was intended to plan how democracy may persist in Nigeria’s political arena.

One of the two current governors chosen on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, Mr. Makinde, added that the purpose of the visit was to express support for Mr. Mark’s group during its leadership crisis.

Shortly after the meeting, which took place at Mr. Mark’s Abuja home, the governor made this statement to reporters.

“We came here to visit the leadership of ADC. We’re on a solidarity visit. We’ve seen what has been happening within the political space, the court and the protest today. We came to show solidarity and to commit to a clean democratic space in our country,” he said.

As previously reported by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Makinde and executive members of the Kabiru Turaki faction of the PDP were entertained by Mr. Mark, a former Senate President.

The meeting took place barely hours after his ADC section protested the party’s internal strife at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) headquarters.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi are among the leaders of Mr Mark’s ADC faction in attendance.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Abubakar Malami, a former minister of justice, Aminu Tambuwal, a senator from Sokoto South, and Bolaji Abdullahi, the faction’s spokesperson, are also present.

In addition to Messrs. Makinde and Turaki, the PDP’s National Secretary, Taofeeq Arapaja, and its spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, were there.

There are now two major factions within the ADC, one headed by Mr. Mark and the other by Nafiu Bala.

The national secretary of Mr. Mark’s group is Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor and interior minister. Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, Peter Obi, a past presidential contender, and numerous other opposition leaders support the faction.

In response to a Court of Appeal decision and continuing legal proceedings, INEC suspended recognition of Mr. Mark’s leadership of the party last Wednesday.