- The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has uncovered an alleged plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilize its leadership and pave the way for President Bola Tinubu to emerge as a sole presidential candidate in 2027.
- In a statement released on Monday, March 16, 2026, the party warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against recognizing Nafiu Bala Gombe, an expelled member, as its National Chairman.
- The ADC reaffirmed that its legitimate leadership, led by Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, was formally recognized by INEC in September 2025 and recently upheld by a Federal High Court ruling.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sounded a formal alarm over what it describes as a “desperate and sinister” attempt by powerful figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to hijack its internal machinery.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the opposition party alleges that this interference is part of a broader strategy to eliminate credible opposition and position President Bola Tinubu as the only viable contender in the 2027 general elections.
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According to a statement signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the plot involves pressuring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Nafiu Bala Gombe as the party’s National Chairman.
The ADC clarified that Mr. Gombe is an expelled member who was removed for actions inconsistent with the party’s constitution.
The party further alleged that an APC governor and a high-ranking security official in Abuja are the primary drivers of this infiltration attempt.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive where the ruling party seeks to capture, infiltrate, or manufacture opposition parties for its own political convenience,” the statement read.
The ADC characterized the move as a “brazen assault on democratic pluralism,” vowing to resist any effort to turn the party into a “willing instrument of destabilization.”
To set the record straight on its leadership, the ADC noted that a combined meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) in July 2025 transferred leadership to a coalition led by former Senate President David Mark and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola.
This transition was witnessed and acknowledged by INEC in September 2025. Furthermore, the party highlighted a March 6 Federal High Court judgment that dismissed a challenge to Mark’s leadership, reaffirming that such matters remain the internal affair of political parties.
The ADC called on the general public and democratic institutions to disregard the claims of Mr. Gombe and his backers.
The party insisted that despite the “political engineering” being orchestrated by external interests, the ADC remains a united and focused platform for Nigerians seeking a genuine alternative to the current administration.
As the 2027 political cycle begins to take shape, this development underscores the growing tension between the ruling establishment and opposition blocs.
The ADC has made it clear that it will employ all lawful and democratic means to defend its autonomy and ensure that the Nigerian electorate has a diverse field of candidates to choose from in the next election.
