Dare Babalola
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over purported attempts by influential individuals within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate its internal leadership in anticipation of the 2027 general election.
The party’s national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Monday disclosed that the ADC was aware of efforts to promote Nafiu Gombe as the party’s national chairman.
Abdullahi noted that Gombe had been previously expelled from the party.
He wrote, “Mr Gombe, who once claimed to be Deputy National Chairman under the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, was duly expelled from the ADC after engaging in actions that were inconsistent with the party’s constitution, its principles, and the collective decisions of its leadership.
“The objective is clear: to manufacture confusion within the ADC, sponsor illegitimate leadership claims, and ultimately cripple the only credible opposition platform that Nigerians are increasingly looking to as a genuine alternative, thereby leaving Nigerians with no real choice in the next general election, despite the widespread suffering the ruling party has brought on the people.
“We, therefore, wonder at the level of desperation driving these anti-democratic forces to continue their sinister efforts to impose expelled individuals on the party or manipulate its internal structures through external political pressure on judges and electoral officials.”
He stated that a joint meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) in July 2025, attended by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had transferred leadership to the coalition headed by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.
Abdullahi noted that the transition was formally recognised by INEC in September 2025.
The spokesperson further noted that a Federal High Court dismissed a lawsuit contesting Mark’s leadership on March 6, thereby validating the party’s internal processes and upholding the Supreme Court’s prior ruling that leadership disputes are essentially internal party matters.
Abdullahi called on the public, party members, and democratic institutions to respect the ADC’s constitutionally recognised leadership and to disregard claims made by unauthorised individuals.
He noted that the party remains committed to strengthening internal democracy and providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
