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ADC plunged into turmoil as Nafiu Gombe declares himself interim national chairman amid court suit
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Gombe accuses Atiku, Aregbesola, others of hijacking party structure through illegal appointment
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Legal battle, mass expulsions, and party resignations signal deepening fractures within opposition ranks
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has descended into fresh internal chaos less than a month after forming a broad opposition coalition, with its Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, declaring himself as the party’s Interim National Chairman.
His announcement followed mounting dissent over the controversial appointment of opposition heavyweights, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi to top party roles.
Gombe made his declaration in Abuja on Thursday, accusing party leaders of orchestrating an internal coup by surrendering the ADC’s structure to political outsiders such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
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He described the move as an “unprecedented assault on democracy” and vowed to resist what he called a political hijack.
“The idea of mortgaging the future of our great party by abdicating constitutional duties to powerful outsiders is condemnable,” Gombe said.
The crisis has sparked legal action. In a suit filed at the Federal High Court, three ADC members—Adeyemi Emmanuel, Victor Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila—are seeking to nullify the interim leadership, claiming that former Chairman Ralph Nwosu lacked the authority to convene any meeting appointing them.
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The suit describes the appointments as “unconstitutional, unlawful, null, and void.”
Gombe’s faction is demanding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognise the leadership change and uphold internal party regulations. He warned that continued disregard for the party’s constitution would trigger further legal action.
In response, a senior ADC official who requested anonymity dismissed Gombe’s claim, suggesting he was aggrieved after rejecting a zonal leadership role. “The party will review his grievances, but we’ll take a firm position soon,” the official said.
In a related fallout, the Lagos chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled members who openly declared support for the ADC coalition.
The expulsion was announced by PDP Elders Caucus spokesman, Segun Edwards, who accused the defectors of desecrating party principles.
Meanwhile, former PDP senator and Kogi governorship candidate, Dino Melaye, has officially resigned from the party, citing its lack of organisation and inability to challenge Nigeria’s entrenched political rot.
