- Obiora Ifoh, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the party regretted presenting Obi as its presidential candidate
- “It has come to our notice that a certain Mr Peter Obi was allegedly registered at a zonal office of the party in Enugu
- Peter Obi had earlier announced his defection to the ADC during a political gathering held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State
A leadership faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), headed by its National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, has disassociated itself from reports claiming that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, formally joined the party through its Enugu zonal office.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that In a statement released on Thursday, the group, which described itself as the legitimate national leadership of the ADC, faulted the reported registration, insisting that it breached the party’s constitution and laid-down membership procedures.
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Peter Obi had earlier announced his defection to the ADC during a political gathering held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State.
At the event, the former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians and opposition stakeholders to rally under a united front, stressing the need for a broad coalition aimed at rescuing the country from economic hardship, national division and democratic setbacks.
However, reacting to the development in a New Year message issued in Abuja, Gombe said the clarification became necessary to correct what he described as misleading narratives circulating in the public space regarding the ADC’s membership process.
According to him, the party is built on discipline, order and strict adherence to constitutional provisions, with its membership registration process clearly defined and non-negotiable.
“It has come to our notice that a certain Mr Peter Obi was allegedly registered at a zonal office of the party in Enugu. The National Working Committee wishes to state unequivocally that such an action does not conform with the constitutionally approved procedures for joining the African Democratic Congress,” Gombe stated.
He explained that the ADC constitution recognises ward-level registration as the only valid entry point into the party, noting that all intending members must register at their wards of origin or residence.
“The process is straightforward: registration must take place at the ward level. Upon successful registration, documentation is completed and a duly validated membership card is issued. There is no provision for registration at zonal or national offices,” he added.
Gombe stressed that any registration carried out outside the ward structure is irregular and invalid, adding that the party’s leadership had commenced investigations into the alleged breach of procedure.
“The national chairman hereby distances the constitutionally guided ADC from the reported registration of Mr Peter Obi at the Enugu zonal office. Party supporters and the general public are advised to disregard any claims suggesting alternative channels for membership registration,” the statement read.
The clarification came a day after the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party described Obi’s defection to the ADC as a relief for the party.
Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the party regretted presenting Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, adding that his exit merely formalised a political separation that had lingered for months due to internal leadership disputes
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