A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, has warned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar against presenting himself as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The faction also denied reports of any agreement to form an alliance, merger or coalition with the G100 Coalition, accusing Atiku and some members of the group of attempting to pressure the party into a political arrangement.
Gombe, who describes himself as the party’s national chairman, made the position known in a statement on Saturday, insisting that the ADC would contest the 2027 elections independently.
He maintained that the party would not allow its political future to be determined by individuals pursuing personal ambitions.
The warning comes amid an ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC, with two factions claiming control of the party. One is led by former Senate President David Mark, whose leadership is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while Gombe’s faction is challenging the takeover in court.
Gombe accused some members of the G100 Coalition and Atiku of engaging in behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at forcing the ADC into an alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
He insisted that the party had no intention of entering into any political arrangement with another party before the polls.
“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,” he said.
“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,” Gombe added.
The faction’s statement further underscores the divisions within the ADC as opposition figures explore possible political arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku has not been reported as responding to the latest allegations in the statement provided.
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