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One of Nigeria’s opposition parties, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has published incorrect spellings of its acting National Chairman’s and National Secretary’s names on its official website.
This is raising concerns about the accuracy of its public communication to its members and the gepublic.
On the party’s page, there are inconsistencies in how the name of David Mark is spelt ‘Sen. DAB Mark’ and Rauf Aregbesola, spelt ‘H.E. Segun Oresegbola’, are presented.
While both figures are well-known in Nigeria’s political space, their names appear incorrectly spelt in parts of the ADC website, differing from the widely accepted versions used in official records, media reports, and prior public service documentation.
About ADC
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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a Nigerian political party founded by Ralph Okey Nwosu in 2005 as part of efforts to broaden democratic participation beyond the country’s dominant parties.
Over the years, the ADC has attracted a mix of politicians, technocrats, and young people seeking alternative political expression. The party gained wider national attention during the 2019 general elections, when it fielded prominent candidates like Oby Ezekwesili and expanded its visibility across several states.
In the 2023 general elections, the party further strengthened its presence by presenting Dumebi Kachikwu as its presidential candidate.
Ahead of the 2027 election, ADC has been in the news for its coalition efforts aimed at uniting opposition groups. The move is largely driven by the need to challenge dominant parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while reducing fragmentation among smaller parties.
Prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwakwanso, Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai have been associated with the coalition discussions, alongside other stakeholders seeking a strong third-force platform.
The coalition has gained relevance amid rising public dissatisfaction with economic conditions and governance, increasing demand for credible alternatives.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also moved to remove the names of the National Working Committee led by David Mark.
Where the Errors Appear
Recent internal leadership disputes are ongoing within the ADC, involving multiple factions and questions over the legitimacy of the National Working Committee.
In such a sensitive context, inconsistencies on official platforms may further complicate public understanding and deepen uncertainty around the party’s structure.
A closer review of the party’s leadership page (https://adc.org.ng/leadership) reveals specific editorial errors, particularly the misspelling and inconsistent rendering of names of key officials
For instance, names of the disputed National Chairman and National Secretary are written on the homepage but appear incorrectly spelt, in the leadership section, indicating lapses in content management.
The National Chairman’s picture which appeared on the ADC website, has the name ‘Sen. DAB Mark’ under it, while that of the National Secretary has ‘ H.E Segun Oresegbola’ under it.
If we are to match the name with the pictures used, both names are incorrect.
The image referring to the National Chairman is that of ‘David Mark’, a former Senate President of Nigeria – not ‘DAB Mark’.
The image referring to the National Secretary is that of ‘Rauf Aregbesola’, a former interior minister in Nigeria – not ‘Segun Oresegbola’.
Independent records and reports consistently identify the individuals as ‘David Mark’ and ‘Rauf Aregbesola.’ These are the spellings that align with their long-standing public identities and official documentation.
Why Does This Matter
These errors should be corrected by standardising all names to match their verified and officially recognised spellings across every section of the website.
Ensuring consistency in how party leaders are identified is essential for credibility, especially in a period of internal contestation, as inaccuracies risk misinforming the public and undermining trust in the party’s official communication channels.
Accuracy in naming public officials is a fundamental standard in institutional communication, especially for political organisations seeking credibility and public trust.
Misspelling the names of top party leaders, especially on an official website, can undermine credibility, create confusion, and reflect weak internal review processes.
It can also misinform journalists and researchers who are not familiar with the Nigerian political landscape.
