By Gift ChapiOdekina
The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) continues as a factional party’s National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, alongside National Leader and lawmaker, Leke Abejide, declared that the Abuja convention organised by a coalition group was illegal and a direct violation of subsisting court orders.
Addressing a world press conference on Friday in Abuja, the ADC factional leadership accused the organisers of the April 14, 2026, convention of undermining the rule of law, insisting that the exercise was conducted in defiance of binding judgments of the courts.
Gombe said the convention contravened a valid ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered on March 12, 2026, warning that any outcome from the gathering is liable to be nullified by the Federal High Court.
“Any action taken in flagrant disregard of the Court of Appeal’s judgment is not only of questionable legality but is liable to be declared null and void,” he said.
He further pointed to the absence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the convention as evidence that the exercise lacked official recognition and could not withstand judicial scrutiny.
‘Convention Lacks Legal Standing’
The chairman maintained that those behind the convention were not recognised members of the ADC and therefore lacked the legal authority to convene a national convention or take binding decisions on behalf of the party.
“As far as the duly constituted leadership of the party is concerned, the coalition group are not members of ADC and consequently lack the locus standi to convene any congress or convention,” he stated.
He added that the actions of the group were not surprising, alleging a pattern of disregard for due process and violation of the party’s constitution.
Gombe also raised concerns over what he described as a contradiction in the coalition’s actions, noting that while the convention was ongoing, their legal representatives were simultaneously seeking validation for the same exercise before the Supreme Court.
“This underscores the illegitimacy of the entire process,” he said.
Dispute Escalates Beyond Internal Party Matter
In a significant twist, the ADC chairman said the crisis has moved beyond internal party disagreements, revealing allegations of criminal conduct, including the circulation of forged documents bearing his signature.
“This matter is not an internal party affair. It involves a breach of the ADC constitution and infringement of my rights as a bona fide member. It has now escalated to a criminal dimension with the preparation of false documents bearing my forged signature,” he alleged.
He also criticised attempts by some political actors, including associates of former Senate President David Mark, to rely on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 to shield their actions from judicial scrutiny.
According to him, Section 83(5) of the Act does not preclude the courts from intervening in cases where party constitutions are breached or members’ rights are violated.
Also speaking, Abejide described the Abuja gathering as an “unlawful assembly” and an “affront to the judiciary,” accusing the organisers of deliberately disobeying court orders from both the Federal High Court and the Supreme Court.
“It is not a convention but an illegal assembly. This attitude is treasonable and a direct affront against the judiciary,” he said.
He dismissed claims that he and Gombe had been suspended by the opposing faction, describing such actions as baseless and lacking legal effect.
“The purported suspension is a laughable phenomenon from an illegal group of people who came to destroy the ADC the same way they destabilised other parties they left,” Abejide stated.
The ADC factional leaders accused members of the coalition of being serial defectors with a history of moving across multiple political parties, alleging that their involvement has destabilised the ADC.
Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency, defended his credentials within the party, noting that he has remained in the ADC since 2017 and played a key role in building its structure, particularly in Kogi State.
He said the party grew its influence in the state from a single seat in 2019 to multiple legislative victories in 2023, attributing the success to grassroots mobilisation and consistent leadership.
“I am not a political merchant moving from one party to another. I have remained in ADC and helped build it into a recognised platform,” he said.
The leadership disclosed that it has briefed lawyers to challenge what it described as illegal suspensions and other actions taken by the opposing group, citing the legal principle of lis pendens, which restricts actions on matters already before the court.
They warned that continued disregard for court orders and internal instability could jeopardise the party’s ability to field candidates in future elections.
“If ADC is unable to field candidates at the end of this crisis, the coalition group should be held responsible,” Abejide warned.
The factional leadership group dismissed claims by other factions within the party, insisting that those parading themselves as alternative leadership structures are either aligned with the same coalition or lack any constitutional backing.
Responding to questions on a separate faction that had also distanced itself from the Balagubu-led leadership, the chairman said such groups have no legal standing, alleging that many of their members had previously resigned their positions under questionable circumstances.
He further accused the coalition of recruiting politicians with a history of defection across multiple parties, arguing that their involvement has destabilised the ADC.
“These are individuals who have moved from one political party to another. Their track record shows a pattern of political inconsistency and opportunism,” he said.
The faction also rejected reports that some of its leaders had been suspended by the opposing group, describing the move as baseless and legally untenable.
They argued that any disciplinary action taken by what they termed an “illegal assembly” cannot stand, especially while related matters are before the courts.
“The purported suspensions are laughable. You cannot suspend someone from a structure that has no legal existence,” Balagubu said.
Also responding to questions on whether he will seek re-election on the platform of AD in 2027, Abejide hinted at the possibility of political realignments if the crisis persists, noting that politicians may be forced to seek alternative platforms.
“If this matter is not resolved within the next two weeks, any aspirant contesting under this platform risks their political future,” he said.
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