The Tinubu Must Stay (TMS) Movement has expressed concerns over the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing a pattern of influential politicians taking over existing parties for personal presidential ambitions. Director-General of TMS, Marcel Ngogbehei, made the allegations while reacting to a recent Federal High Court judgment on the ADC leadership dispute. Ngogbehei argued that this recurring practice undermines internal democracy and weakens political institutions.
Ngogbehei cited the involvement of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the ADC coalition and the political movements of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as examples of instability in opposition politics. Obi left the Labour Party in December 2025 for the ADC before moving to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in May 2026. TMS said this movement of prominent politicians between parties raises questions about their commitment to building sustainable political organisations.
The Federal High Court, on November 5, invalidated the David Mark-led leadership structure of the ADC and Atiku’s presidential nomination following a legal challenge by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe. The ADC has indicated its intention to appeal the judgment. TMS called on Nigerians to assess political parties and their candidates based on their commitment to internal democracy and organisational stability ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to Ngogbehei, influential politicians adopted the ADC as a platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, creating tensions over the party’s leadership and ownership. The movement argued that the strength of a democracy depends not only on the number of political parties or the prominence of their candidates but on the ability of political institutions to operate independently of individual interests.
The TMS Movement also recalled Obi’s emergence on the Labour Party platform ahead of the 2023 general election, arguing that his entry into the party was followed by prolonged leadership disagreements. This pattern of politicians moving between parties has resulted in disputes over party leadership, particularly when established political figures seek to use existing structures to pursue electoral goals.
The ADC crisis has exposed the consequences of such disputes, with the party now facing an uncertain future. TMS urged Nigerians to consider the commitment of political parties to internal democracy and organisational stability when evaluating candidates. This approach, the movement believes, will help promote sustainable political institutions that can survive beyond individual ambitions.
As the 2027 general election approaches, the TMS Movement's concerns about the state of opposition politics in Nigeria are likely to continue. The movement's call for a more stable and democratic political landscape may resonate with Nigerians seeking a more institutionalized political process.
Key points
- The Tinubu Must Stay Movement criticizes Atiku and Obi for allegedly hijacking political parties for personal gains.
- The movement argues that this pattern of politicians moving between parties undermines internal democracy and weakens political institutions.
- The ADC crisis has exposed the consequences of disputes over party leadership, particularly when established political figures seek to use existing structures to pursue electoral goals.
