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The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a sharper turn on Friday as the faction led by National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and House of Representatives member, Leke Abejide, firmly rejected their reported expulsion, describing it as unlawful and orchestrated by a “hijacked structure.”
The two leaders also dismissed allegations linking them to sponsorship by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that such claims were baseless and intended to undermine their position within the party.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Bala argued that those who announced their expulsion lacked the legal authority to do so, maintaining that they were not even recognised members of the party. He declared the action null and void, vowing to challenge it through all available legal means.
Bala further ruled out any possibility of dialogue with the rival faction, stressing that there was no existing agreement or understanding between his leadership and the opposing bloc. According to him, engaging with individuals he considers outsiders to the party would be illegitimate.
The crisis stems from a parallel convention held in Abuja on April 14 by a faction aligned with former Senate President, David Mark, where the expulsion of Bala, Abejide, and others was announced over alleged anti-party activities.
However, Bala’s camp has dismissed the convention as illegal, arguing that it contravenes existing court orders and lacks recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He warned that actions taken in defiance of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, could ultimately be nullified by the courts.
The ADC chairman also raised concerns over alleged forgery, claiming that documents bearing his signature had been falsified to legitimise the actions of the rival faction. He described the development as a dangerous escalation of the internal dispute.
On his part, Abejide ridiculed the purported expulsion, accusing the opposing group of deliberately attempting to destabilise the party. He insisted that the faction had no legitimate stake in ADC and could not dictate its future direction.
The lawmaker, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, warned that the prolonged crisis could severely damage the party’s electoral prospects if not urgently resolved. He emphasised his longstanding loyalty to the ADC, contrasting it with what he described as the inconsistent political affiliations of members of the rival coalition.
Abejide also disclosed that he had instructed his lawyers to initiate legal action against the suspension, arguing that it violates existing court orders and constitutes contempt of court. He referenced the legal principle of lis pendens, noting that such actions are prohibited while a matter is still before the courts.
He cautioned that the faction he belongs to may reconsider its position within the party if the situation deteriorates further, warning that unresolved disputes could jeopardise the political future of candidates contesting under the ADC platform.
Abejide concluded by warning that if the party ultimately fails to field candidates in future elections, responsibility should rest squarely on the rival faction, whom he accused of undermining the party through ongoing internal strife.
