There are indications that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his counterpart from Bauchi State, Governor Bala Mohammed, may no longer join the African Democratic Congress.
Credible sources close to Makinde and the ADC told Sunday PUNCH that the two governors had slowed down their consultations to move to the ADC following the de-recognition of the party’s leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Sunday PUNCH also gathered that INEC’s decision had cast doubt on the intentions of National Assembly members planning to join the party.
INEC on Wednesday removed the names of the NWC of ADC led by Mark from its official portal, citing a Court of Appeal order.
The electoral commission said it would maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The decision followed a protracted leadership crisis within the ADC, with rival factions led by Nafiu Gombe and Mark laying claim to the party’s national structure.
According to the commission, the appellate court, in a judgment delivered on March 12, 2026, directed all parties to maintain the existing situation before the dispute arose and refrain from actions that could prejudice the outcome of the case.
But the Mark-led NWC rejected INEC’s decision and called for the dissolution of the electoral commission.
It also vowed to proceed with preparations for the proposed National Convention scheduled for Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on April 14.
There were reports that Makinde and Bala would join the ADC following the prolonged crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party.
Bala, who is Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, on Tuesday indicated plans to defect to the ADC.
The governor gave the hint after a closed-door meeting with a delegation of the ADC, led by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Presidential Lodge, Bauchi.
Bala stated that despite exhausting all avenues for reconciliation within the PDP at both national and state levels, no meaningful progress had been made.
The Bauchi governor described the ADC as a “preferred destination,” noting, however, that consultations and negotiations were ongoing to ensure a well-informed decision.
Ditto for Makinde, who had been meeting with chieftains of the party.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, an ally of Makinde, who is knowledgeable about the political activities of the governor, said he might not join the ADC again.
The source said, “I’m not sure Makinde will join the ADC again because ever since INEC’s derecognition of the ADC leadership, he has not been showing interest in further engagements with the ADC leaders.”
Reacting, the Special Adviser to Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, dismissed claims that the governor was planning to dump the PDP.
Olanrenwaju, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, equally denied claims that he was delaying his move to ADC due to uncertainty surrounding the party’s national leadership.
He said, “The information is mere rumors, nothing like that.”
Also, the Bauchi State chapter of the PDP said Bala had yet to join the ADC.
Responding to questions on why he had yet to defect to the ADC despite earlier indicating Thursday as a possible timeline, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Dayyabu Chiroma, said, “All I can tell you is that we are still in the PDP, and we are stronger together.”
He noted that although a committee had been set up to assess the party’s political future, no decision had been taken to leave the party.
“Yes, we have established a committee to make findings on our political future, but we are still in the PDP and have not moved to any other platform,” Chiroma said.
Uncertainty over lawmakers’ defection
Findings by Sunday PUNCH indicate growing uncertainty over the planned defection of some lawmakers, with several still undecided on their next move.
Originally expected to dump the PDP for the ADC, the lawmaker representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Mansur Soro, told Sunday PUNCH that consultations were ongoing.
“We are still consulting and we’ll decide in the next one week,” he stated, when asked if his movement to the ADC remained sacrosanct despite INEC’s decision not to recognise the Mark-led NWC.
Similarly, Lagos lawmaker, Jesse Onuakalusi, whose defection from the Labour Party to the ADC was recently announced on the floor of the House, declined to state his next move if the crisis persists.
Asked what options he would explore, he responded tersely, “What do you mean by if the controversy is not resolved? I don’t want to talk about this issue for now.”
On his part, the lawmaker representing Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Uchenna Okonkwo, downplayed the significance of INEC’s action, expressing confidence in a legal resolution.
“The Court of Appeal did not ask INEC to yank off anybody’s name. The court said the status quo should be maintained but the umpire chose to interpret it the way it deemed it.
“As far as we are concerned, this is not cause for alarm as we are optimistic that the issue would be resolved.”
He added that regardless of the outcome, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, would lead the way for many LP defectors.
Okonkwo said, “It is unfortunate that people are not being allowed to exercise their democratic choice to decide where they want to be. Those who are celebrating today are reminded that the challenges we face as a people are party neutral. Poor power supply, cost of fuel and high living conditions affect all.”
(Punch)
