The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated on Friday as factional leaders, Nafiu Bala Gombe and 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 duo 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.
He warned 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.
The factional national 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.
He noted 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.
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.”
He accused 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.
