By Abubakar Yunusa
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafi’u Bala faction, has petitioned the United States Embassy over an alleged plot to hijack the party’s structure and undermine its internal democracy.
In the complaint, the faction urged the US to impose sanctions, including visa restrictions, on individuals allegedly involved in what it described as an unconstitutional takeover of the party leadership.
The petition, signed by the faction’s Authentic National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, accused unnamed political actors of breaching the party’s constitution and due process.
Gombe said the crisis followed the resignation of the former National Chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, alongside other members of the National Working Committee.
According to him, the party’s constitution mandates that the Deputy National Chairman assumes leadership in the event of a vacancy.
He stated, “I write to you in my capacity as the Authentic National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress. I wish to bring to your attention a critical situation regarding the internal affairs of our party.”
Gombe maintained that he remained the only Deputy National Chairman who did not resign, insisting that leadership lawfully devolved on him.
He alleged that “external political actors” and “power mongers” were attempting to impose themselves on the party without regard for constitutional provisions.
The ADC chieftain also dismissed claims linking his faction to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying there was no relationship with the President or the All Progressives Congress.
“We state unequivocally that we have no contact, relationship, or affiliation with President Tinubu or his political party,” he said.
The faction noted that it had approached the courts to seek redress, accusing its opponents of resorting to propaganda.
Gombe, however, called on the US to take note of what he termed “anti-democratic practices” within the party.
He added that sanctions, including visa denials and withdrawal of diplomatic courtesies, would serve as a deterrent against the subversion of internal party democracy.
The petition, he said, was aimed at safeguarding democratic principles and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria.
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