The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has issued a directive to party leaders and candidates following a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the party. The court ruled that the process violated provisions of the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution. Gombe's directive requires ward, local government, and state chapters to submit their membership registers to the national secretariat.
According to Gombe's announcement, ward chairmen must submit hard copies of their ward membership registers to local government party chairmen, who will collate and transfer them to state party secretariats. The state chairmen are expected to ensure that the compiled registers reach the party's National Secretariat by November 12, 2026. Gombe described the exercise as critical to the party's revalidation, planning, and effective administration.
The directive comes amid a leadership crisis in the opposition party following the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja. The court nullified the emergence of the David Mark-led caretaker committee and decisions taken under the committee, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party's reported presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Gombe also addressed ADC candidates contesting elections, urging them to sustain and intensify their campaign activities despite the recent court judgment and leadership crisis. He maintained that the court had spoken clearly and urged candidates to respond through their actions on the campaign field. The announcement provided the venue for submitting membership registers as the party's National Secretariat in Abuja.
The development has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) saying it will not take an immediate position on the judgment until it obtains and examines the Certified True Copy of the ruling. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission would deliberate on the matter at its next meeting.
Haruna also indicated that INEC would comply with any subsequent court order, including an injunction staying the execution of the judgment if obtained by the affected faction. The suit was instituted by Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Gombe warned that no extension of the November 12 deadline for submitting membership registers would be entertained, while thanking party members for their cooperation and commitment to the growth of the ADC. The party's leadership crisis has significant implications for the 2027 general elections, with the ADC's fortunes hanging in the balance.
Key points
- The factional National Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Bala Gombe, has issued a directive to party leaders and candidates amid a leadership crisis.
- The directive requires party leaders to submit membership registers to the national secretariat by November 12, 2026.
- The development has sparked reactions from stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
