This is raising concerns about the accuracy of its public communication to its members and the general public.

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

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.

Although ‘DAB’ as written by ADC could obviously mean ‘David Alechenu Bonaventure’, which is also David Mark’s name. But for someone holding such a position, accuracy of name is important for supporters.

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.

The event, organised in partnership with RoundCheck, brought together leading voices in media, technology, and democracy to explore how AI is shaping public trust and what must be done to safeguard the 2027 polls.

Anchored by Chiamaka Okafor, Executive Director of the MILID Foundation, the panel featured Prof. Suraj Olunifesi, Associate Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos and Global Co-Lead of the UNESCO University Network on MILID; Caleb Ijioma, Executive Director of RoundCheck; Hannah Ajakaiye, Founder of FactsMatterNG; and Lois Ugbede, Assistant Editor at Dubawa Nigeria.

The discussion was moderated by Opeyemi Toriola, a Media and Information Literacy (MIL) educator.

In the open session, Prof. Olunifesi laid out the stakes clearly. He explained how AI could compromise electoral integrity, from deepfakes to algorithm-driven misinformation, and warned that similar tactics have already undermined democracies elsewhere.

“When citizens begin to think their votes no longer count,” he said, “trust in the system collapses.” That kind of doubt, he added, could create space for foreign interference or even nudge a democracy toward authoritarianism.

For him, the antidote is awareness.

“We need to know who is regulating AI, who is inventing it, and what data is being used to train it,” he said. “Regulation won’t work without education; we must first educate to regulate.”

He also urged for greater transparency and stronger collaboration among government, civil society, and the tech industry to ensure that AI strengthens democracy rather than erodes it.

Moderator Tangi Toriola praised the timing of the discussion, noting that having such conversations more than a year before the elections, rather than just a few months ahead, gives citizens and policymakers time to act.

Lois Ugbede described the theme as “a call to build public resilience in the age of AI-powered misinformation.” While AI brings efficiency and creativity, she said, it also opens new fronts for falsehoods. Her message was simple: every citizen must become their own fact-checker.

Caleb Ijioma echoed that sentiment, calling AI “a double-edged tool.”

“Young people must realise that AI can influence who they vote for and how they vote,” he said. “But it can also be used for good.”

He revealed that Roundcheck is developing a civic education web game to help users spot misinformation and engage responsibly online. “With strong media literacy skills, people can tell what’s true or false and help others do the same, he added.

For Hannah Ajakaiye, the evolution of misinformation has been alarmingly fast.

“In 2019, it was cheapfakes. In 2023, it was deepfakes. By 2027, we might be facing hyperrealistic AI videos that even fact-checkers struggle to verify,” she warned.

She also highlighted the “liar’s dividend”, a growing trend where politicians dismiss genuine evidence as AI-generated fabrications. “A politician can now deny an authentic video, claiming it’s AI,” she said.

As a solution, Ajakaiye said, “Media and information literacy has to reach every community, in every language, and that’s how we build resilience against misinformation”. 

Throughout the session, one point kept resurfacing: education must come before regulation. Prof. Olunifesi noted that even regulators often lack the technical understanding needed to govern AI effectively.

Each panellist shared how their organisations are tackling that gap:

Dubawa, represented by Ugbede, continues to expand its Kwame Karikari Fellowship for journalists across West Africa and runs media literacy programs in schools nationwide.

FactsMatterNG, led by Ajakaiye, produces short, relatable videos in Pidgin English to reach everyday people who do not usually consume traditional media.

Roundcheck, through training sessions and volunteer programs, equips young Nigerians with fact-checking and digital literacy skills.

As the discussion wrapped up, panellists outlined practical steps to prepare for 2027. Their recommendations included:

• Social media platforms and users tagging AI-generated content for transparency 
• Developing a deepfake policy tailored for Africa 
• Promoting homegrown tech tools for misinformation detection 
• Expanding grassroots media literacy training before the elections 
• Teaching AI literacy to INEC officials and civic groups 

Prof. Olunifesi also cautioned against overreliance on AI, warning that without proper education, the technology could displace jobs and destabilise systems designed to serve democracy.

Closing the session, Chiamaka Okafor thanked the speakers and participants, reaffirming MILID Foundation’s commitment to advancing media literacy and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic resilience ahead of 2027.