ADC BoT warns Atiku, Obi, others against party hijack

By Abubakar Yunusa

Fresh tensions have erupted in the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections as the party’s Board of Trustees on Thursday issued a stern warning to top opposition figures allegedly plotting to seize control of the party.

In a communiqué read in Abuja, the BoT passed a vote of confidence in the National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, praising his leadership and describing rival structures as illegal.

The trustees accused a coalition led by former Senate President David Mark of attempting to infiltrate the party “under the name of a coalition,” warning that such actions threatened party discipline and internal democracy.

The communiqué, signed by Chief Rufus Ekenmi and read by Comer Abdmumeen Ibrahim, alleged a plot by prominent political leaders—including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Chibuike Amaechi, and others—to hijack the ADC. It declared the attempt “illegal and unacceptable.”

It added that the National Chairman had been empowered to set up a disciplinary committee to sanction any party member found engaging with individuals who are not recognised as bona fide members of the ADC.

Responding to the endorsement, Bala described the confidence reposed in him as a “profound honour,” insisting that party privileges were strictly reserved for registered members in good standing.

He condemned the establishment of a “parallel party headquarters” by the coalition, saying the act violated the ADC Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, the move undermined internal democracy and risked allowing non-members to influence key decisions, thereby creating confusion within the party.

Bala disclosed that loyal members had demanded an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee to address the alleged violations and determine the legitimacy of the coalition’s actions.

He also noted that the dispute was already before the Federal High Court, where a suit is challenging INEC’s recognition of David Mark as National Chairman, insisting that Mark is not a registered member of the ADC.