The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that powerful figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are working behind the scenes to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu becomes the only presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.
The opposition party said it would strongly oppose any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, insisting that competitive elections must be protected.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed that the alleged plot involves efforts to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former member who was expelled from the party, as the ADC’s National Chairman.
According to Abdullahi, the move is intended to create internal confusion within the party and weaken its position as an opposition platform.
The ADC maintained that there is no leadership dispute within the party, stressing that its structure is firmly under the leadership of Senator David Mark.
The party said this arrangement followed a joint meeting of its National Working Committee and National Executive Committee held in July 2025, which was observed by officials of the electoral commission.
The party further alleged that the attempt to destabilise it ahead of the 2027 elections is being driven by a serving APC governor alongside a senior security official based in Abuja.
Abdullahi said Nafiu Bala Gombe, who once claimed to be the party’s Deputy National Chairman under former chairman Ralph Nwosu, was expelled for actions that violated the party’s constitution and leadership decisions.
He described the alleged plan to use Gombe to claim leadership of the party as a strategy aimed at weakening the ADC and disrupting the opposition landscape before the next general election.
The party also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission formally recognised the leadership of Senator David Mark in September 2025.
It added that on March 6, a Federal High Court dismissed a case challenging Mark’s leadership, reinforcing an earlier Supreme Court position that the leadership of political parties is strictly an internal matter.
The ADC warned that attempts by the ruling establishment to interfere with opposition parties could threaten Nigeria’s democratic system and reduce political competition.
The party called on its members, supporters, and the public to ignore claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe and those supporting him, while reaffirming its commitment to defending democratic principles in the country.
