A faction of the African Democratic Congress, led by its National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, on Thursday dismissed the reported defection and registration of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi at its Enugu zonal office.
The faction, which claimed to be the authentic national leadership of the ADC, declared the exercise as a violation of the party’s constitution and established membership procedures.
On Wednesday, Obi announced his defection to the ADC at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State.
At the event, the former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
In a New Year message issued in Abuja, Gombe stressed that it became important for them to clarify misleading information circulating in the public domain over the party’s membership registration process.
He said the ADC is founded on order, discipline and strict adherence to its constitution, adding that its membership registration process is clearly defined.
His statement read, “It has come to our attention that a certain Mr Peter Obi was reportedly registered at a party zonal office in Enugu. The NWC wishes to categorically state that this action does not align with the constitutional and stipulated procedures for membership registration into the African Democratic Congress.
“The process of registering with the ADC is clearly outlined as follows: ward registration. Prospective members must register at their respective ward levels within their state of origin or residence. This is the primary and constitutionally recognised point of entry.
“On documentation and issuance of membership card, upon successful registration at the ward level, a validated party membership card is issued.”
ADC said its constitution does not allow registration at zonal or national offices.
He added, “The party’s constitution does not provide for the registration of individuals at zonal or national offices outside of their designated wards. Any registration carried out contrary to this provision is considered irregular and invalid.
“Therefore, the office of the national chairman distances the original, constitutionally-governed ADC from the reported registration of Mr Peter Obi at the Enugu Zonal office. The party is investigating this breach of due process.”
The leadership, therefore, urged party supporters and the general public to disregard claims suggesting alternative channels for party registration, noting that ward-level registration remains the only recognised method.
Gombe’s 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 “liberation” for the party.
The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday that the party regretted fielding Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
According to him, Obi’s exit only formalised a political separation that had existed for months amid a leadership crisis in the party.
