A fresh leadership crisis is brewing within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a faction of the party has petitioned the United States Embassy in Nigeria over what it described as an attempt by some individuals to hijack the party’s leadership.
The faction, led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, accused certain politicians of undermining the party’s internal democratic processes and violating its constitutional procedures.
In a formal petition addressed to the US Embassy in Abuja, Gombe urged the United States government to consider imposing sanctions, including visa restrictions, on individuals allegedly involved in what he described as an unconstitutional takeover of the party.
Gombe, who claims to be the legitimate leader of the party, said the crisis began following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, along with other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
According to him, the ADC constitution stipulates that when the office of the National Chairman becomes vacant, the Deputy National Chairman should assume leadership to ensure continuity. He maintained that as the only Deputy National Chairman who did not resign, he was constitutionally empowered to take charge of the party’s affairs.
However, Gombe alleged that external political interests and power seekers from other parties are attempting to seize control of the ADC without following the party’s rules and procedures.
He also clarified that the faction has no connection with Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing claims circulating in some quarters that the presidency may be influencing the crisis.
The faction further stated that it has already taken legal steps to challenge the alleged takeover in court but warned that propaganda and political interference were being used to undermine due process.
Calling on the international community to pay attention to the situation, Gombe argued that any successful attempt to impose leadership through unconstitutional means would undermine democratic principles within the party and Nigeria’s broader political system.
He urged the United States to closely monitor the situation and consider diplomatic actions if the party’s constitutional procedures are violated. According to him, such steps would demonstrate that the international community does not tolerate actions capable of weakening democratic institutions.
The development signals growing tension within the ADC and may further deepen divisions in the party as Nigeria gradually moves toward the 2027 political cycle.
