Powerful APC figures pressuring INEC to recognize factional ADC chairman— Bolaji Abdullah 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over alleged attempts by “powerful figures” within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to influence its internal leadership ahead of the 2027 general election.

A statement on Monday by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s national publicity secretary, said 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.

“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 statement reads.

“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 noted that a combined meeting of the party’s national working committee (NWC) and national executive committee (NEC) in July 2025, witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), transferred leadership to the coalition led by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

Abdullahi noted that the transition was formally recognised by INEC in September 2025.

The ADC spokesperson also highlighted that a federal high court dismissed a case challenging Mark’s leadership on March 6, affirming the party’s internal processes and the supreme court’s previous judgment that leadership matters are primarily an internal party affair.

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.