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Tag: ADC

  • Coalition of strange bedfellows

    Coalition of strange bedfellows

    •  By Sola Ajisafe

    There is no doubt that the political atmosphere in Nigeria is currently high-stakes, despite that the 2027 election still being about two years away. Make no mistake; it will be high drama, yet a lot may not really change in the country’s political spectrum at the end of the day.

    To give further evidence of the rumblings, two events will ultimately affect the political calculation of 2027. One is the death of former president, Muhammadu Buhari, and the second, the resignation of Atiku Abubakar from the PDP. These two issues will have political impacts as we move forward.

     No one needs to be told that the PDP has suffered internal haemorrhage for a very long time, causing it to gasp for breath. The possibility of its survival was dependent on how much the care-givers or those charged with taking care of it could continue to maintain it on an oxygen-induced life support. Unfortunately, the consultants charged with providing the necessary medical support had become uncommitted, self-serving, and compromised.

    The coalition is not any better. It is composed of angry, hungry, battered, and frustrated politicians looking for succour anywhere they can find it. These individuals, who have now found their way into the ADC, pride themselves on coming to rescue Nigeria. It is led by Atiku Abubakar, former vice president – a serial contender for the presidency since 1993.

     There is Peter Obi, another serial contender and serial defector like Atiku. Nasir El-Rufai is a man who has occupied one political office or the other since 1999. His loyalty is based on the position he is offered in any political party or association. Under Obasanjo, he was Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, minister, and later a two-term governor of Kaduna State.

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     Also in the leadership of the coalition is Rotimi Amaechi, whose only known contribution to the Nigerian project is being in political office. He was Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, governor for eight years and minister for Transport under President Buhari for almost eight years. He was at various times chairman of the Speakers Forum of Nigeria and Nigerian Governors Forum.

    There are other lesser coalitionists masquerading as rescuers whose lives in public space speak of unenviable achievements that do not qualify them for the least office in the land.

    When we put together these people, starting with Atiku Abubakar, from his presence in the Nigerian Customs Service to his political life as vice president, none of the tasks given to him to handle show him as a man with the capacity that can rescue the Nigerian nation.

    If Peter Obi, El-Rufai, and Amaechi with a combined tenure of 24 years and none of their states –Anambra, Rivers, and Kaduna – could be considered to have given their inhabitants the best in anything, how can we trust them with our future? To return to them under these circumstances is going back to Egypt.

    This leads to the incongruity of their quest to return to political prominence supposedly to rescue Nigeria. The inconsistency and mismatch in their political trajectory or their contradictory ideological posturing and mental capacity make their quest unachievable and unrealisable.

     Let me use Atiku Abubakar as an example. He was the one who head-hunted El-Rufai as the DG of BPE, which was placed under Atiku by President Olusegun Obasanjo. At the end of the day, it ended up as a mess. This was pointedly revealed by El-Rufai in his book “Accidental Public Servant.” In the book, he showed how impossible it was to work with Atiku. 

    El-Rufai himself was served the same breakfast by President Obasanjo in his book “My Watch,” where he described El-Rufai as a disloyal and lying machine. It is a fact that the connecting rod between these elements is not their love for Nigeria or the capacity to do better than the current occupants of political office. They are fired by loss of power, status, and a sustained hatred for President Tinubu.

    I venture to state without mincing words that it would be impossible for this group of people to take the presidency from Asiwaju Tinubu under whatever coalition or banner. The reasons are numerous. One, many of them are driven by personal ambition and the desire to become president at all costs, rather than the ability, capability, and discipline of a potential president of Nigeria.

    For instance, Atiku’s continued search for the presidency has become not only an obsession but a cross that he has to carry for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, much as he has the ambition to wear the lapel of Mr President, he lacks the discipline and strategy to achieve the objective. His inability to have a strong political structure that could make him win an election is legendary. He runs a fragmented, confused, and extremely pliant political structure that is incapable of tying down a presidential ticket in any party.

    He has become a nomadic politician over the years, seeking the best way to get into Aso Rock without setting the right building blocks. For the rest of the coalitionists, they are driven by their overrated assumption of their political value rather than what they actually measure on the political scale.

    For instance, the only effect Amaechi could lay claim to outside his Rivers State is his leadership of the Nigerian Speakers Forum and the Governors Forum. These are his main planks for leadership at the national level. His being a minister added nothing to his national appeal in terms of building bridges.

     El-Rufai has always shown that he is not a friendly and reliable political asset. Not with flawed religious extremism and ethnic exceptionalism.

    On the part of Peter Obi, his quest for the presidency is not based on capacity and national political relevance or past achievement. Rather, it is based more on ethnic and religious sentiments or a sense of entitlement based on ethnic competition.

    In a larger sense, one can see that most of those involved in the opposition or coalition have different reasons for ganging up against the Tinubu government. Many are angry because they could not find a place in the government, some habitual political nomads are looking for a place to excite themselves or exercise their political rights.

    The opposition’s message is not deep enough and is not resonating with the people. As it stands, the coalition will remain a political dead wood.

     As far as I can see, 2027 will be filled with the usual hullabaloo and razzle-dazzle of political activities, but in the end, the ultimate outcome would be a total decimation of the opposition at the polls and a continuation of the Asiwaju presidency. The reason is very simple: aside from the brighter optics in the political horizon, the “centre cannot hold” for the Nigerian opposition parties to make any difference in the 2027 presidential election.

    •Ajisafe, a lawyer, journalist and farmer, writes from Akure, Ondo State

  • ADC warns El-Rufai against alleged plot to hijack party in Kaduna

    ADC warns El-Rufai against alleged plot to hijack party in Kaduna

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State has raised the alarm over what it described as clandestine attempts by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to infiltrate and destabilise the party in the state.

    Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, leaders of the party said El-Rufai, who has never formally registered with the ADC, was working behind the scenes using remnants of his old political structure in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to hijack the ADC for personal ambitions.

    Reading the text of the press conference on behalf of the other leaders of the Party, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, declared that the ADC would not be a “willing tool in the hands of any individual,” stressing that the party remains focused on building a credible, people-oriented alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to him, “We are open to all Nigerians who believe in our values,” he said. “But we will not allow our party to be turned into a political vehicle for anyone’s personal project. El-Rufai’s subversive moves are unacceptable and will be strongly resisted.”

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    He noted that while the party encourages healthy competition and legitimate aspirations, it would not condone any behaviour reminiscent of the “destructive tendencies of the old parties” that have stifled Nigeria’s development.

    The party leaders accused El-Rufai of attempting to create a faction within the ADC through “acts of subterfuge and alignment with rival political interests,” warning that such actions were a direct threat to the unity and internal democracy of the party.

    They called on the former governor to immediately desist from any activity capable of undermining the integrity of the ADC, urging him instead to respect the rules of engagement and allow due process to prevail.

    Reaffirming its support for the leadership of National Chairman Senator David Mark, the Kaduna ADC restated its commitment to mobilising the people for a just and progressive political future, vowing not to be distracted or derailed from its mission.

  • Leave SDP, join us, Kaduna ADC tells El-Rufai, supporters

    Leave SDP, join us, Kaduna ADC tells El-Rufai, supporters

    The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to leave the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and join the coalition with his supporters.

    An ADC chieftain and former National Vice Chairman (Northwest) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, told reporters yesterday in Kaduna that the coalition wanted the former governor to unite the opposition under ADC in the state.

    Lukman announced that the national registration with the ADC was ongoing online.

    The ADC chieftain urged fellow Nigerians to register with the coalition.

    He said: “ADC has its doors open. Anyone is welcome to join the party. Every citizen of Kaduna is free to join us. Just about three months ago, 10,000 members joined the party. A month ago, about 5,000 New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members also joined.

    “El-Rufai is not a member of ADC in Kaduna State, but he is in the leadership of the coalition, and he is an important stakeholder. I’m appealing to him. We must not delay any action that will unite our people. We can’t afford where SDP may create problems where the takeoff of ADC as a party is weakened.

    “We want to see them fix their issues and come with us to build this party. A situation where leaders of a coalition appear to be divided at the state level is not healthy.

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    “ADC has agreed at the national level. As far as Kaduna is concerned, we should see the bigger picture and come together. I want us to make all the sacrifices required. Whatever is necessary to make ADC a strong contender and win the 2027 general election.

    “About 18 months ago, up to the recent past, the fear was that if we don’t take time, we would end up with a one-party state, whereby it is only the ruling party, APC, that will be healthy enough to present candidates for election in 2027.

    “That informed the reason some of us took the initiative to approach many of the leading politicians in the country and discuss with them and persuade them to agree to work together. “

    “In doing that, we were very clear that without working together, they will not succeed. Nobody will succeed in defeating the APC, whether at the presidential level or at the state level. In order for them to work together, the first thing we emphasised is no discussion about the ambition of anybody.”

  • Aug 16 by-elections: APC, PDP, ADC mobilise for show of strength

    Aug 16 by-elections: APC, PDP, ADC mobilise for show of strength

    • LP alleges exclusion

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) are pulling all the strings for what they perceive as an immense test of popularity in next week’s by-elections in 12 states of the federation.

    At stake are two senatorial seats, five House of Representatives slots and nine House of Assembly positions.

    The polls are to be conducted for 6,987 polling units, 32 local government areas and 356 wards with 3,553,659 registered voters eligible to exercise their rights on the day.

    National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, told The Nation yesterday that his party was set and prepared for the by-elections

    “We are prepared for the by-elections in all the 16 constituencies. The same commitment we give to the general election is what we give any off-season election. August 16 election is no exception,” Bashiru said by phone.

    He added:”We have started campaign in all the affected constituencies in Anambra, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Niger and other states.

    “With the level of our preparation, we are optimistic of victory. We are optimistic that we shall be victorious in almost all the constituencies come Saturday, August 16.”

    The PDP is also set for the polls with its candidates intensifying campaigns in the affected states.

    In response to a Whatsapp message asking about the party’s preparations, Chairman of PDP Caretaker Committee for the South-South, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, sent a cryptic statement, with some affirmation of religious hope.

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    He said: “Trust God, no matter what!”, quoting Psalm 46:1 that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

    The Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee Publicity Secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare, had earlier said that the chapter has assembled a strong team of party leaders to drive its campaign.

    “The Edo PDP is confident that this team, under the capable leadership of Senator Clifford Ordia, will drive a robust, issue-based campaign that resonates with the aspirations of the people of Edo Central,” Osa Nehikhare stated.

    Other national officers of the party contacted declined to talk.

    The ADC is also presenting candidates for the elections.

    The party’s immediate past National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, said in his last statement as chairman that the ADC was keen on increasing its representation in the national and state assemblies through the by-elections.

  • ADC swimming against the tide

    ADC swimming against the tide

    Of all the things driving the unstable African Democratic Congress (ADC), the most potent is the desire to dethrone President Bola Tinubu. Established in 2005, the fringe party has no state or local government under its control. It has only two members in the House of Representatives. In each of the presidential elections it participated in since 2007, including in 2019 when ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo adopted it for his Coalition for Nigeria Movement, it never got up to 100,000 votes. It consistently underperformed, lacked ideological clarity, and has had a perverse fondness for being prostituted. It is to this party that the Atiku Abubakar-led coalition has turned for refuge and succour. In preparation for the 2027 elections, particularly the presidential poll, the ADC’s new leaders hope to change their party’s permissiveness and trajectory. To provoke that change, however, they will have to do a character surgery on the party’s new helmsmen and purge the party itself of the lethargy that had debilitated it for about two decades.

    The party lacks ambition. So, those who have taken it over are desperate and eager to inject it with a horse dose of ambition. They see the party as the last straw they must clutch at, and the next presidential poll as the very last they stand any chance of participating in and winning. Apart from Alhaji Atiku, other new ADC leaders are former senate president David Mark, former Osun State governor and Internal Affairs minister Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai, and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, among many others. Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 poll continues his curious straddle, unsure whether to fully commit himself to a party he strongly doubts their bona fides. He is naïve to think they would be sincere enough to give him the presidential ticket. Former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi continues to snap at the heels of the APC and the president in particular, but he has been reluctant to openly and hastily commit himself to the ADC. He wants to see which way the cat jumps before he commits political suicide.

    These leaders, whether they are still in the closet or have openly committed themselves to the ADC cause, will do their utmost to ply the party with huge funds to make it competitive. They are scared of founding a new party and labouring to prime it for 2027. They are unsure they have the competence to run a hijacked party, and so they will do everything to prevent the adopted party from imploding. What might undo the party and probably cause it to unravel is, however, intrinsic to the personalities and character of the new leaders, not money. Most Nigerians already view the party as coalescing around the worldview and ambition of the former vice president. They are not wrong. Alhaji Atiku might have been unable to dominate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for more than three election cycles, and whimsically for as long as he wished, but in the ADC, he is primus inter pares. The PDP is finding it hard to secure a southern candidate for the coming poll, for the ADC, it is much harder. But should the coalition defy Alhaji Atiku and secure the nomination for a southern candidate in alignment with conventional wisdom, they would find him a harder sell, for the party is unlikely to generate the momentum needed to drive the candidate to victory or aggregate a consortium of altruistic financiers and thinkers which that candidate would need to stand any chance of success.

    The ADC’s dilemma is not helped by the person and character of Alhaji Atiku. He has shown over the decades that he looks after number one with unbridled fanaticism. He left the PDP because of his presidential ambition which he thought was being jeopardised by finicky and irresolute party leaders. He would be mystified to be asked to help build the ADC only to cede the nomination to a southern candidate. It is not in his character to surrender anything priceless for the common good. More importantly, for someone so fanatical about winning the presidency some day, it is strange that he has never really given a thought to the stabilising dynamics of preserving national unity through rotation or zoning of the presidency. Machiavellian through and through, he is in sum unconcerned about others, unconcerned about the stability of the country, and is inured to the feelings and patriotic actions of others, not to talk of having the capacity to adopt or promote lofty principles.

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    But he is not the only exponent of realpolitik in the new party. Mallam el-Rufai and Mr Aregbesola are cut from the same cloth, and are the archetypal politicians: opinionated, conceited, and verbally violent. Both owe no loyalty to anyone or idea. The ADC acting chairman, Sen. Mark, has sometimes been cast as a hero of democracy on account of his involvement in finding a solution to the succession impasse that crippled the country in the closing days of the late President Musa Yar’Adua’s life. If he didn’t see any advantage for himself and those who surrounded him, he would have abandoned any pretext to patriotism as eagerly as he colluded to undermine the final moments of the former military head of state Ibrahim Babangida’s transition programme. He undermined the consummation of the said transition and helped in no small measure to derail MKO Abiola’s crowning after the 1993 presidential poll. The 77-year-old senator is no democrat; in fact, despite presiding over the Nigerian Senate for eight years from 2007, there was no time he said anything profound, or took inspiring step to fortify democracy.

    Mr Amaechi does not necessarily bring up the rear in the ADC leaders’ display of lack of character. He nevertheless ranks fairly well for entirely the wrong reasons except in one area where he is incomparable. Some Nigerians think Mallam el-Rufai arrogant in part because he views politics through the prism of Fulani exceptionalism. Yes, he is irredeemably conceited, but he is no match for Mr Amaechi. The former Rivers governor has no unique gifts, whether rhetorical or intellectual, and he demonstrates no fidelity to truth; but he is proud, dismissive of others, and projects messianic propensity. Eight years as speaker of the state legislature, eight years as governor, and another eight years as Transportation minister have dulled his senses for comparison and proportion, and inculcated in him the delusion of grandeur. But like other ADC leaders, he does not know he is plagued by character deficit.

    Overall, none of the ADC leaders can be pinned down to any philosophy or ideology, or any unique idea of Nigeria for that matter. Character in politics or leadership goes beyond the dictionary definition that equates it with “the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.” It instead and more poignantly involves the possession of the “internal resources of strong moral compass, resilience and self-awareness”, and the “demonstration of integrity, responsibility, and commitment to ethical behavior” that ultimately manifest in great and lasting impact on the society. Two weeks ago, this column argued that the ADC had a long way to go to transform into a serious political party of any kind. If it managed to transcend its legal troubles, the piece said, a feat that might yet prove herculean, it would need political impresarios to turn the party into a full-fledged political organisation anchored on discernible and coherent ideological platform. It must, therefore, find a way to prove that it can build itself into a party inspired by the noble virtues of justice and equity, concluded the column.

    A little more has become known of the party since that piece was published. A few political juggernauts previously sitting on the fence have thrown in their lot with the party; but so far, there has been no indication whatsoever of any of the new helmsmen being associated with noble or extraordinary ideas. Mallam el-Rufai is still embroiled in controversy in the SDP, which he threw into turmoil once he got into their midst; the surreptitious Kayode Fayemi, who is still expected to join the party, is still throwing darts at the president and the ruling party on the sidelines; and Mr Aregbesola has thrown himself into the thick of the street fighting he is used to in order to sow confusion and distrust in the Southwest.

    If by some miracle the party acquires a measure of stability, and manages to attract an influx of stranded political souls, it will nevertheless still have to struggle to hold its centre together during electioneering as well as labour even more tediously to hold on to its converts as it tries to proselytise around the country selling political sure cures against hunger and northern and south-eastern marginalisation. The auguries are not good at all for the ADC. In the end, if the coalition leaders are not forced to take poison by going for a new party altogether, it will need tons of money to canonise the ADC and beguile the electorate. When the APC was on the back foot in 2015, it had the good fortune of crystallising its messages around the freshly varnished former president Buhari. The ADC does not boast of any such centralising figure, flawed or not, and may be unable to find one in the near term. But it has many makeshift magicians in its ranks who can perhaps conjure a few genetically modified rabbits from their worn hats.

  • Coalition takeover of NEC forceful, illegal, says sole ADC Reps member Abejide

    Coalition takeover of NEC forceful, illegal, says sole ADC Reps member Abejide

    The only African Democratic Congress (ADC) member in the House of Representatives, Hon Leke Abejide, has described what he termed as the attempted “forceful takeover” of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party by the coalition of politicians led by former Senate President David  Mark as illegal. 

    He also declared the coalition’s attempt to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election is “bound to collapse”.

    Abejide, a second-term serving lawmaker who represents Yagba East, Yagba West and  Mopamuro Federal Constituency, Kogi State, won his elections to the Green Chamber back-to-back in 2019 and 2023 on the platform of the opposition ADC. 

    He was also the governorship flag bearer of the ADC in the 2023 Kogi governorship election.

    Speaking during the meeting of “Critical stakeholders of the Leke Abejide political family” in Abuja at the weekend, he dissociated himself from the Coalition ADC and called on his supporters to join hands with him to “chase out marauders” from ADC.

    Participants at the meeting cut across party lines, including ADC, All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from across the three senatorial districts in Kogi State and other parts of Nigeria.

    Abejide said the meeting became imperative to clarify his status of party allegiance. 

    Amid recent calls on him by various groups of supporters in Kogi State to join APC and his sustained vocal support for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, speculations were rife as to  whether he had defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (,APC) or still in the PDP.

    He however affirmed that as the party’s lone and highest elective office holder, he remains a member of the “original ADC” in Kogi state and at the  federal level not what he termed as the “Kangaroo Coalition ADC “with the intent to seize the party”. 

    Abejide noted: “We shall join hands to chase out political marauders from People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other parties that have formed a coalition (in ADC). We have been watching their characters since they claimed to have joined ADC as a coalition, it is clear now that they came with a notion to hijack the party structures, suppress original members of the party, and want to use the party to achieve their aims and objectives which is dead on arrival”. 

    He added: “Their recent activities in Kogi state are a mockery of democracy, those who came through the window and back doors are now claiming to be leaders of ADC in Kogi state.  When we were nursing the party and maintaining the structures of the party both at the National level and in Kogi State,  where were they? 

    “It is evident that they destroyed their political parties and have come to ADC solely to achieve the same aim. We will not allow them to destroy ADC. On this premise, we shall seek legal actions by approaching the court of law, as the highest member of NEC to challenge the illegality of the so-called Interim National Working Committee”.

    Noting that while the normal procedure demands that the NEC meets to consider the resignation of members of the National Working Committee and new ones elected and ratified, in this instance “there was nothing as such at all”.

    Therefore, he said, “everything the so-called coalition has done is a nullity and thereby rejected by the original ADC members in Kogi state. There is going to be a new coalition of ADC, with other parties to support President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office. For the naysayers, they are only digging their political graves, as you will all go into political oblivion after 2027. We remain the original members of the African Democratic Congress”.

    A chieftain of APC, Chief John Fabola, said the meeting was a deliberate joint-action of supporters loyal to Abejide across party divides in Kogi state and beyond. 

    “He has said he is still in the APC like a rock of gilbralter. Any steps he decides to take further he will not hesitate to let us know. This is what he has made clear to us and I believe we understand that. He is the landlord of ADC, not only in Yagba Federal Constituency, Kogi State but at the federal level. The aim of the  coalition is to unseat President Bola Tinubu. We are here to ensure they did not succeed and they will not succeed,” he said. 

  • Dino Melaye regrets backing APC, says ADC ready for 2027

    Dino Melaye regrets backing APC, says ADC ready for 2027

    Former Kogi senator Dino Melaye has expressed deep regret for his past support of the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling it a serious mistake. 

    He also voiced confidence in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to produce a formidable candidate capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

    Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Friday, Melaye acknowledged his former alignment with the ruling party but made it clear he has since changed course.

    “Once I was blind, now I can see. I regret in totality,” he said.

    “Just like you confess your sins daily in the Lord’s prayer, I ask for forgiveness. Anyone who has moved with the devil, anyone who has aligned with an unholy tendency, should regret it.”

    Looking ahead to 2027, Melaye said the ADC is committed to building a strong and stable party that can present a credible presidential alternative.

    “Especially those of us in the ADC, we need to create a comfortable, stable platform. I believe that platform will produce a candidate that will unseat President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in 2027,” he stated.

    When asked whether he would back former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the next election, Melaye declined to endorse any individual, saying his focus was on stabilising the party first.

    “I will not be talking about a presidential candidate or preference for anybody until we get the party completely stabilised and organise a transparently honest convention,” he explained.

    Although Atiku has not officially declared his 2027 ambition, Melaye commended his ongoing political engagement.

    “What Atiku is doing is rescuing this country, bringing together men of honour and valour to correct and palliate the manifestation of the APC,” he added.

  • PDP loyalists slam ADC defectors, vow to keep party strong in Enugu

    PDP loyalists slam ADC defectors, vow to keep party strong in Enugu

    Leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State have lashed out at members defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing them of sowing division within the PDP before abandoning ship.

    The Concerned PDP Stakeholders Forum, a coalition of founding members, grassroots mobilisers, and former executives, alleged those aligning with the ADC were the very individuals who destabilised the PDP and are seeking refuge after causing internal crises.

    “They want to destroy the PDP and run, but we won’t let them succeed,” Ozo Okey Ozoani, the group’s leader and former PDP state vice chairman said while addressing reporters after a strategy meeting in Enugu weekend. 

    “These same people fuelled the confusion around the National Secretary seat, and now they’re jumping to the ADC.”

    Ozoani insisted that the PDP in Enugu remains solid and unshaken despite defections and speculations surrounding Governor Peter Mbah’s rumored move to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “We are here to restore hope in the PDP. Enugu has never known any other party since 1998. It’s not easy to go to the wards and preach a new party to our people,” he said.

    The forum emphasised the state chapter would not follow any politician blindly, even if the Governor were to leave. 

    “The PDP is not moving with anyone. Many of us are here to stay,” Ozoani declared.

    He also dismissed agitation by some Southeast PDP members threatening to quit the party if SKE Ude-Okoye is not made National Secretary. 

    “That’s a divisive move. The current occupant of that office is from the Southeast—Senator Anyanwu from Imo. Why push him out for another Southeast candidate from Enugu?” he queried.

    Joining the conversation, a former Udi council chairman and ex-aide to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Engr. Nicholas Obiora Ozonsi, said the party’s survival must not depend on one individual. 

    “We will defend the PDP even if the governor takes a different path. Our loyalty is to the party, not personalities,” Ozonsi said, stressing the need to safeguard the PDP’s legacy and credibility.

    “If anything happens overnight, people must still find the PDP standing,” he said.

    The group said it will begin reconciliation efforts across wards and local government areas to bring back disillusioned members and keep the party united ahead of future elections.

    “We are not just loyalists,” Ozoani added. “We are guardians of the PDP in Enugu, and we’re here to remind everyone that PDP is still the party to beat.”

  • More trouble in ADC as faction confronts David Mark, others

    More trouble in ADC as faction confronts David Mark, others

    • Adeleke rules out defection to coalition party

    An  African Democratic Congress (ADC) member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide yesterday described   the coalition group members  who have taken over the affairs of the party  as political marauders.

    He vowed to team up with other ‘original’ members of the party to  chase out such people.

     Abejide (Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State) spoke to reporters in Abuja 24 hours after Nafiu Bala, a former National Deputy Chairman of ADC  from Gombe State declared himself the party’s acting  national chairman.

     Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke who was reported to be on his way to the ADC yesterday denied any such move on his part.

     “I’m an original member of ADC, not Coalition ADC, and I want to assure that we shall do all we can to chase out the political marauders that came from PDP, Labour Party, and part of the struggling APC into our party,” Abejide said.

     He said any attempt to hijack the ADC by individuals with no historical ties to its founding would not  stand.

     He said: “When I was nursing the party, where were they? When they destroyed their parties, PDP and LP, we will not allow them to destroy ADC like that.”

     He said  those now laying claim to the leadership of  the party entered through the window, bypassing the legitimate democratic processes and party structures.

     Continuing, he said: “I have been watching their character since they claimed to have ADC, and it has become clear to me that they came to the party to hijack the structure, suppress the original members, and use the platform to achieve their aims and objectives.”

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    The lawmaker said  that as the most senior member of the party’s National Executive Committee, he would not fold his arms and watch the party ‘stolen.’

     “On this premise, we shall explore legal opinion on the way forward, and I may likely approach the court, as the highest member of the ADC NEC, to challenge the illegality of the so-called current National Working Committee,” Abejide said.

    He reaffirmed his loyalty to the founding vision of the ADC, stressing that the party must remain true to its foundational principles and not be reduced to a platform for desperate political actors seeking shortcuts to power.

    “I am proud that I am a member of the party and I am a strong reminder of the original beliefs—not irrational beliefs,” he stated.

    Dr. Musa Isa Matara, who was the National Publicity Secretary of the party before he was supplanted,  accused the coalition-led interim leadership of excluding original ADC members from recent national appointments.

    “The coalition team came and appointed people as they liked, without considering the original members in their appointment list,” he told The Nation.

     He said that although the Ralph Nwosu-led NEC had handed over the party leadership to Chief David Mark in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the action of the new leadership fell short of their public commitment to unity.

     “Our expectation based on the speech made by David Mark was that he is going to carry all the party structure, all ancestry, without any segregation or bias,” he said.

      He alleged that over 50 appointments were made into the new NEC without any inclusion of longstanding ADC members, saying, “none of our ADC members was appointed into  positions. It means it’s a hijack.”

     He said the ‘original’  members are behind  Nafiu.

     He added: “We will not allow them to come into our party and hijack the structure of the party without including our members.

     “So we are forming a new faction ADC, which we have our leader as Nafiu Bala from Gombe, who was the Deputy national chairman, and is now stepping in as National Chairman of the party.”

     He said their faction would be unveiled today. 

    Bala: I’ve not resigned 

    Nafiu Bala yesterday denied resigning his position as Deputy National Chairman of the party.

     He said a  May 18, 2025 document purported to be his resignation letter was  fake.

     Bala, in a statement in Abuja said the  document was  deceptive and put in  circulation by mischievous elements both within and outside the party.

    He said: “I wish to unequivocally state that I have not resigned from my position as the Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The timing and content of this fake resignation letter are not only misleading but also riddled with glaring contradictions that raise serious questions about its authenticity.

     “Notably, while the letter claims I resigned on 18 May 2025, it is critical to highlight that on 2 July 2025, during a meeting to receive certain new members into the ADC at the Yar’Adua Conference Center in Abuja, my predecessor, Ralph Nwosu, publicly declared his own resignation.

     “In his address to the global media, he made a specific mention of my status, stating, ‘Nafiu Bala did not resign as the Deputy National Chairman.’ This statement alone invalidates any claims of my resignation and underscores the deceitful nature of the circulated letter. Furthermore, I would like to draw attention to the discrepancies between my official correspondence and the aforementioned fake resignation letter.

     “All my official communications have been conducted on the official headed paper of my office, which bears the emblem and insignia of the African Democratic Congress. In stark contrast, the fraudulent resignation letter is presented on plain paper, devoid of any official markings. This blatant difference in presentation further undermines the credibility of the document and highlights the nefarious intentions behind its circulation.

     “In light of these developments, I must also question the authenticity of those who are now posing as new leaders of our party. The constitution of the African Democratic Congress clearly stipulates that any individual seeking to assume a leadership position must be a member of the party and must have maintained their financial obligations for a minimum of one year prior to their candidacy.

     “This provision has not been amended, and any claims to the contrary are simply unfounded. It is essential that we uphold the integrity of our party’s Constitution and ensure that all leadership transitions adhere to the established guidelines.

     “The integrity of our party’s governance structures must be preserved, and any actions taken outside of these formal processes cannot be recognized as legitimate.”

    Bala asked all party members, supporters, and the broader public to remain alert in the face of misinformation and to reject efforts aimed at sowing discord within the party ranks.

     He added, “Our party is built on the principles of democracy, transparency, and integrity, and it is imperative that we work together to uphold these values.

    “I reaffirm my commitment to the African Democratic Congress and its vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria. Together, we will continue to advance our agenda and serve the interests of the people we represent.”

    I am not defecting to ADC – Adeleke

     Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State said yesterday that he has no intention of defecting to ADC.

     The governor’s spokesman,Malam Rasheed Olawale, said in a statement in Osogbo that Adeleke  remains in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is not aligning with anybody within the ADC.

    He said that there was no truth in the speculation about Adeleke’s imminent defection or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race.

    “There is no truth in those speculations and publications,” he said.

    Olawale said that since the PDP in Osun had adopted and endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, there was no alliance with ADC. 

    “Gov. Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.

     “The Osun electorate supports the governor because of his impressive performance since he came to office.

    “That good work is still ongoing, and the people of the state are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing him in 2026,” he said.

    The spokesperson also said that the governor had directed PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory in the election.

  • ADC deputy chairman declares self chairman

    ADC deputy chairman declares self chairman

    The leadership crisis rocking the opposition coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a worse turn

    The party’s Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, has declared himself the Interim National Chairman.

    Gombe said the current leadership crisis bedevilling the party was allegedly orchestrated by some people he called “political hooligans”.

    The deputy national chairman made the declaration at a media briefing yesterday in Abuja. He described the situation in ADC as an unprecedented assault on democracy, promising to resist it.

    Gombe accused the party’s erstwhile leaders of abandoning their constitutional responsibilities and handing it over to those he called “powerful outsiders” with no ties to the ADC.

    The deputy national chairman urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently recognise the leadership change. He insisted that it is by doing so the electoral body would be seen to uphold the sanctity of the ADC constitution.

    Declaring himself, Gombe said: “I, Honourable Nafiu Bala, a bona fide member and a duly elected National Deputy Chairman of our great party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), wish to draw the attention of the entire members of our great party and Nigerians at large to the ongoing acts of political hooliganism being perpetrated by some individuals who were hitherto entrusted with the leadership of the party.

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    “We are all living witnesses to the show of shame and acts of lawlessness being displayed by these unscrupulous leaders, who, without any qualm or sense of moral restraint, plunged our party into a needless crisis and leadership uncertainty.

    “The idea of mortgaging the future of our great party, by abdicating the constitutional duties and responsibilities of all elected officers of the party to some powerful outsiders who never belonged to the party, is condemnable.

    ”Recently, the nation woke up only to be greeted by a shoddily rehearsed political melodrama in which elected roles were switched with certain groups of political strangers in order to facilitate the complete takeover of the party structures and its political appurtenances.

    “This total surrender and capitulation is without any known precedent in our democratic journey to constitutional order. We are therefore strongly resolved and collectively determined to challenge this affront and ensure that the party’s laid down rules and stipulated provisions are respected and strictly adhered to by all those who belong to it.

    “In case these individuals choose to ignore our urgent calls to obey our constitutional guidelines and thus remain very obdurate and recalcitrant in their aberrant behaviour, we shall proceed with gusto to challenge these gross acts of impunity in the courts and bring them to justice.

    “It gives us enormous pain to inundate you with these scandalous happenings in our party, but, we have been left with no other option to take in defence of our inalienable constitutional rights, as evident by the prevailing situation we now find ourselves in the party.

    “In the history of democracy all over the world, no party leader or any group of leaders have the power to arbitrarily transfer elected mandate or political authority to non-members and who never belong or contested for political office.”

    He reaffirmed his commitment to restoring constitutional order and internal democracy within the ADC, adding that the constitution provides clear guidelines for succession and filling vacant positions.”

    He added: “The constitution of our great party has made adequate provision, as laid down in many clauses, articulating the succession guidelines and how even vacant positions should be constitutionally filled.

    “In the circumstance and also in furtherance of my constitutional mandate as the duly elected National Deputy Chairman of our great party, I now assume my constitutional duty and responsibility as the Interim National Chairman of our great party.

    “Therefore, I am hereby calling on the esteemed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to so urgently step in to take due cognisance of this development.”