ADC Weighs Fresh Options, Holds Secret Talks With NDC

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has deepened, with indications that some senior figures within the party have opened discussions with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a possible fallback platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Saturday Sun, sources familiar with the development said the exploratory talks were initiated amid the unresolved dispute over the party’s leadership.

At the centre of the crisis is Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party’s former Deputy National Chairman, who is currently in court seeking recognition as the National Chairman of the ADC.

Gombe’s claim is strongly contested by the current leadership of the party.

Documents cited in the dispute show that Gombe had earlier submitted a resignation letter from his position as Deputy National Chairman on May 17, 2025, stating that he intended to “make way for a smooth and effective coalition and restructuring.”

Following the resignation, the party notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which acknowledged receipt of the notification.

On July 29, 2025, the ADC held a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at Chelsea Hotel in Abuja, monitored by officials of INEC.

During the meeting, former Senate President David Mark was ratified as National Chairman, while Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola emerged as National Secretary.

INEC subsequently updated its records to reflect the new leadership.

However, Gombe, whose name appeared on the attendance register of the meeting, later approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the leadership arrangement.

His legal team argued that the resignation letter attributed to him was forged.

The ADC leadership has rejected the claim, insisting that the resignation was genuine.

Observers note that no criminal complaint or police petition regarding the alleged forgery has been publicly filed.

The position of INEC in the dispute has also drawn attention.

After monitoring the July 2025 NEC meeting and initially recognising the Mark–Aregbesola leadership, the commission later suspended that recognition in April 2026, citing a Court of Appeal preservation order obtained by Gombe’s lawyers.

INEC has since filed a sworn affidavit in court arguing that injunctions cannot apply to completed acts, maintaining that disputes over party leadership are internal matters beyond judicial interference.

The apparent shift between the commission’s earlier recognition of the leadership and the later suspension has raised questions among political observers.

Amid the unresolved dispute, multiple sources said senior ADC figures have begun exploratory discussions with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The talks, sources said, are being considered as a contingency plan should the leadership crisis persist.

“Nobody wants to leave, but nobody is going to sit and watch everything get destroyed,” one source reportedly said.

According to insiders, the discussions have reached an advanced stage, although no official decision has been announced.

The National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, has publicly positioned the party as an alternative platform for politicians affected by instability in other parties.

“Our party is available for all Nigerians who are now helpless and desirous of a change,” Dickson said.

He added that the NDC is also open to “politicians who are stranded as a result of the political developments in the country.”

Dickson warned that weakening opposition parties could threaten Nigeria’s democratic system.

“We are against Nigeria becoming a one-party state. Our country is too large and too diverse for that. There can be no democracy without opposition,” he said.

He also urged INEC to maintain neutrality in handling party disputes.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations that it is responsible for the crisis affecting opposition parties.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the ADC dispute as an internal problem.

“There’s nothing about the crisis within the ADC that has anything to do with the APC,” Morka said.

“It is purely the result of internal dysfunction and the arrogance of the leaders of the ADC.”

Similarly, the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, dismissed claims that the ruling party was fuelling opposition instability.

He noted that 19 political parties are currently registered to contest elections in Nigeria and insisted that the President lacks the constitutional power to deregister political parties.

Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare also rejected claims that the ruling party was orchestrating instability among opposition parties.

“APC is not afraid of anything. The President has a legitimate mandate for four years and has busied himself with the affairs of the nation,” Dare said.

He argued that the democratic space remains open, noting that opposition figures continue to freely approach INEC and make public statements.

However, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, has accused the ruling party of attempting to weaken opposition platforms.

According to him, the instability within opposition parties could push Nigeria toward a one-party state if left unchecked.

The APC has not issued a direct response to those specific accusations beyond its general denial.

The leadership crisis comes at a crucial time for the ADC as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

Party primaries are expected to hold before the end of the month, raising concerns that the unresolved dispute could create legal and procedural challenges.