The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expelled former Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe and House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, as stated in a release following the party’s National Congress in Abuja on Tuesday. This decision is part of a broader purge that also resulted in the removal of Kenneth Ehiator, Stella Chukwu, and Elias Adiukwu from the party. These expulsions occur amid a deepening internal dispute regarding the party’s leadership.
Nafiu Bala Gombe continues to assert his claim to the position of National Chairman, despite the party’s leadership, led by former Senate President David Mark, maintaining that he has resigned from his role as Deputy National Chairman. The rift intensified last week when Gombe and Abejide organized a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They demanded that prominent political figures—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and David Mark—stay away from the ADC, accusing them of attempting to hijack the party’s structure and direction.
Gombe’s legal challenge against the Mark-led leadership prompted INEC to temporarily de-recognize the party’s current executive, citing the ongoing dispute. The electoral commission has been closely monitoring developments, as this leadership tussle threatens to disrupt the ADC’s participation in upcoming electoral activities. During the National Congress, which formalized the expulsions, the ADC reaffirmed its support for David Mark’s leadership and emphasized the necessity of party unity ahead of future elections.
Party officials indicated that the expelled members had violated internal party rules and undermined the party’s cohesion through their public actions and legal challenges. Observers note that the conflict within the ADC reflects broader tensions in Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where competing factions often vie for control of smaller parties. The outcome of this dispute could significantly impact the party’s electoral strategy and its ability to present a united front in future contests. As of now, INEC has yet to issue a final ruling on the party’s leadership, and the situation remains fluid as both sides prepare for further legal and political engagement.
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