A faction of the African Democratic Congress led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who describes himself as national chairman, has warned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar against parading himself as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
The faction also denied any deal to form an alliance, merger or coalition with the G100 Coalition.
It accused Atiku and some members of the coalition of trying to pressure its leadership into an arrangement that would undermine the party’s independence.
Gombe, in a statement on Saturday, said the ADC would contest the 2027 elections on its own and would not allow its future to be decided by individuals pursuing personal ambitions.
The warning comes amid the leadership tussle in the ADC, with two factions claiming control of the party. One faction is led by former Senate President David Mark, who is currently recognised by INEC, while Gombe’s group is challenging the takeover in court.
Gombe accused some members of the G100 Coalition and Atiku of making moves and holding behind-the-scenes talks to force the ADC into an alliance ahead of the elections.
He insisted the party has no plan to enter into any political arrangement with any other political party before 2027.
Gombe stated, “The leadership of the ADC is fully cognizant of the sustained pressure, political manipulation, and backchannel negotiations being orchestrated by certain elements within the so-called G100 Coalition and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in a deliberate attempt to railroad the ADC into a forced merger or alliance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let it be placed on record; The African Democratic Congress is NOT, and will NOT be, in any alliance, merger, or coalition with any political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
