A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by its self-acclaimed national chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, has warned former vice-president Atiku Abubakar against presenting himself as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was just as the faction also denied any agreement to form an alliance, merger or coalition with the G100 Coalition.
It accused Atiku and some members of the coalition of allegedly attempting to pressure its leadership into an arrangement it said would undermine the party’s independence.
In a statement obtained on Sunday, Gombe maintained that the ADC would contest the 2027 elections independently and would not allow its political direction to be determined by individuals pursuing personal ambitions.
The warning comes amid a leadership dispute within the ADC, with two factions laying claim to the party’s national leadership. One faction is led by former Senate President David Mark, who is currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while Gombe’s faction has challenged the rival group’s takeover of the party in court.
Gombe accused some members of the G100 Coalition and Atiku of engaging in political manoeuvres and behind-the-scenes negotiations to force the ADC into an alliance ahead of the next general elections.
“The leadership of the ADC is fully cognizant of the sustained pressure, political manipulation, and backchannel negotiations being orchestrated by certain elements within the so-called G100 Coalition and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in a deliberate attempt to railroad the ADC into a forced merger or alliance,” he said.
The factional chairman insisted that the party had no plans to enter into any political arrangement with another party before the 2027 elections.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let it be placed on record; The African Democratic Congress is NOT, and will NOT be, in any alliance, merger, or coalition with any political party ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Gombe stated.
He described the ADC as an independent and self-reliant political platform, arguing that its ideology, organisational structure and nationwide presence would guide its participation in the elections.
Gombe also issued a direct warning to Atiku, urging the former vice-president to stop presenting himself as the ADC’s presidential candidate or claiming to speak on behalf of the party.
“We hereby serve a firm notice to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to desist forthwith from parading himself as, or speaking on behalf of the ADC as its presidential candidate,” he said.
He added that any further attempt to associate the party with Atiku’s political activities would attract legal and political consequences.
The factional chairman further accused political actors of attempting to hijack the ADC’s platform and use its name to advance their ambitions. He warned that such actions could create confusion within the party and undermine confidence in the country’s democratic process.
Gombe maintained that the party’s leadership would resist any arrangement that contradicted the interests of its members and supporters.
He also called on ADC members nationwide and the general public to disregard reports linking the faction to Atiku or the G100 Coalition.
“Our doors remain open to genuine patriots who believe in our ideology, but not to serial losers seeking a platform of convenience,” he said.
Despite rejecting the proposed alliance, Gombe said the faction remained open to Nigerians who shared its political objectives and were committed to its stated ideology.
He reiterated that the ADC faction was prepared to participate in the 2027 general elections without compromising its position on political alliances.
“The ADC is prepared, positioned, and determined to contest and win the 2027 general elections without compromise,” he added.
