The Nigeria Democratic Congress has called on key opposition figures to defect to its platform as part of efforts to build a strong coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress.

In a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, the party invited prominent political leaders including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

It also extended the invitation to former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The party stressed that uniting influential opposition figures under one umbrella is critical to mounting a formidable challenge against the APC in future elections, particularly ahead of the 2027 general polls.

According to the NDC, the move is aimed at consolidating opposition strength and presenting a viable alternative to the current administration.

The party described the appeal as a national duty that requires collective commitment from major political stakeholders.

The invitation comes amid ongoing internal disputes within the African Democratic Congress, where the invited leaders are currently aligned.

The NDC suggested that the crisis within the ADC presents an opportunity for realignment in Nigeria’s political space.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has taken steps in response to the ADC leadership tussle, including plans to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official records as party leaders due to an ongoing legal dispute.

INEC also announced that it would suspend recognition of any faction within the ADC until a final judgment is delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The electoral body cited a Court of Appeal order directing all parties involved to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the case.

The commission further revealed that it had received conflicting legal communications from different factions within the party, prompting its decision to refrain from engaging with any group until the matter is conclusively resolved.

The developments highlight growing uncertainty within the ADC, even as opposition realignments continue to shape the political landscape ahead of future elections.

The internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress has intensified following the emergence of a third faction that has rejected both the camp associated with David Mark and that of Nafiu Bala.

The newly formed group led by Don Norman Obinna, claims to be the authentic National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

It insists that it has assumed responsibility for steering the party’s affairs ahead of its next national convention.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the faction argued that the tenure of Ralph Nwosu had expired in August 2022.

It further alleged that Nwosu became entangled in multiple legal disputes after failing to vacate his position at the end of his term.

The group also dismissed claims surrounding Nafiu Bala’s role in the party, stating that he never served as National Vice Chairman.

In addition, it clarified that Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s former presidential candidate, remains a member of the ADC.

As part of efforts to stabilise the situation, the faction announced the appointment of interim leaders to oversee party operations until a national convention is convened.

Details shortly…

The internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress has intensified following the emergence of a third faction that has rejected both the camp associated with David Mark and that of Nafiu Bala.

The newly formed group led by Don Norman Obinna, claims to be the authentic National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

It insists that it has assumed responsibility for steering the party’s affairs ahead of its next national convention.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the faction argued that the tenure of Ralph Nwosu had expired in August 2022.

It further alleged that Nwosu became entangled in multiple legal disputes after failing to vacate his position at the end of his term.

The group also dismissed claims surrounding Nafiu Bala’s role in the party, stating that he never served as National Vice Chairman.

In addition, it clarified that Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s former presidential candidate, remains a member of the ADC.

As part of efforts to stabilise the situation, the faction announced the appointment of interim leaders to oversee party operations until a national convention is convened.

Details shortly…

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has praised operatives of the Department of State Services for successfully apprehending suspected high-profile kidnappers and gunrunners operating within the state.

The governor gave the commendation during a visit to the DSS state headquarters in Enugu on Monday, where he acknowledged the agency’s efforts in tackling insecurity.

According to the DSS, the arrested suspects—Kelvin Azodo, David Chukwuonso, and Arinze Kalu—have been linked to a string of attacks on security personnel as well as kidnapping activities across Enugu and surrounding areas.

Authorities believe their arrest will significantly ease the security challenges faced by residents.

Mbah expressed concern over the suspects’ actions, noting that it was troubling to see individuals engage in such serious crimes.

He assured that the law would take its full course against them.

The governor also commended the DSS for its professionalism and dedication, particularly highlighting its role in maintaining peace during the Easter period.

He noted that the calm atmosphere enjoyed by residents was a direct result of the coordinated efforts of security agencies.

He further encouraged the agency to maintain its current momentum, emphasizing that ensuring security remains a fundamental responsibility of government.

Mbah expressed optimism that the suspects would face justice and that their criminal operations would be dismantled.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to working closely with security agencies to eliminate crime and position Enugu as a safe destination for tourism, investment, and everyday living.

Former Bayelsa State governor and current senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has stated that the Nigeria Democratic Congress is ready to welcome politicians affected by internal crises in other parties, especially those caught up in the ongoing turmoil within the African Democratic Congress.

Dickson described the NDC as a stable and crisis-free platform, positioning it as an attractive option for political actors seeking a fresh start.

According to him, the party is “clean and unencumbered” by the disputes and legal battles currently troubling some other political groups.

His remarks come amid continued uncertainty within the ADC, where internal disagreements and regulatory issues have created tension among members and leadership.

He emphasized that the NDC is open to Nigerians who feel politically displaced and are looking for a new direction.

The party, he said, is also reaching out to politicians nationwide who have been affected by shifting political dynamics and need a reliable platform.

The NDC, which was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission in February, has begun expanding its presence across the country.

Dickson officially joined the party on March 5 in Abuja and has since helped launch a digital membership registration system to boost its growth.

Highlighting the party’s vision, he noted that the NDC is built on ideology and aims to promote a new style of politics focused on ideas and service rather than personalities.

Dickson also dismissed criticisms directed at the party, describing them as baseless and driven by misinformation.

He expressed strong confidence in the party’s future, insisting that it will continue to grow and mobilize support nationwide.

Addressing comments by Umar Ardo, Dickson said the criticism was unexpected and clarified that the NDC has no connection to disputes involving the Advanced Democratic Alliance (ADA).

He explained that those issues are internal to the ADA and unrelated to the NDC.

He further noted that the party resumed its registration activities after INEC lifted restrictions on political party registration, adding that all necessary stakeholders were duly informed.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns over the federal government’s repeated approvals of trillions of naira to settle power sector debts, questioning their effectiveness and transparency.

In a post on his official X handle on Tuesday, Obi highlighted the latest ₦3.3 trillion approval as a “full and final” settlement for power liabilities, noting that similar disbursements had been made in the past without yielding tangible results.

“Let us reflect, sincerely and without sentiment,” he wrote, referencing previous approvals of ₦3.3 trillion on May 17, 2024, and a ₦4 trillion bond on July 25, 2024, for the same purpose.

Obi expressed frustration over the state of electricity supply despite these interventions, reminding Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign promise that failure to deliver stable electricity would make him ineligible for re-election.

“Today, the reality is that power supply has worsened,” he noted, citing reports that even the Presidential Villa could face grid disconnection.

He criticised what he described as a pattern of repeated policy announcements without measurable outcomes.

“Each time legitimate concerns are raised, what we see appears more like policy pronouncements than tangible progress,” Obi said.

Linking the mounting debts to previous administrations, Obi questioned fiscal management and accountability.

“These debts were largely accumulated under successive APC administrations between 2015 and 2025. This raises serious concerns about transparency, effectiveness, and responsible financial management,” he stated.

He further questioned why government institutions, including the Presidential Villa, have not cleared their electricity obligations despite budgetary allocations.

Obi also sought clarity on whether the recent ₦3.3 trillion approval differs from prior approvals, asking: “Is the ₦3.3 trillion approved on April 6, 2026, the same as that in May 2024, and how does it relate to the ₦4 trillion bond approved in July 2024?”

The former presidential candidate urged the government to move beyond repeated announcements and implement decisive reforms.

“Nigeria must confront the power sector crisis with sincerity, transparency, and effective reforms. Until we do so, we remain trapped in a cycle of debt and darkness,” Obi warned, while expressing optimism that improvements remain possible through accountability and discipline.

Nafiu Bala, factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has confirmed that he attended the party’s July 2025 event where an interim leadership led by Senator David Mark was unveiled.

However, Bala insisted that the proceedings lacked the consent of party members and should not be seen as an endorsement.

The confirmation comes amid videos circulating online showing Bala at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja during the event.

The ADC has been embroiled in internal disputes since July 2025, when a coalition group assumed control of the party, with both Bala and the Mark-led group claiming leadership.

The crisis prompted legal battles, leading the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of both factions, citing a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment.

Bala explained that the July 2, 2025 meeting was originally convened to adopt the ADC as a platform for coalition partners, not to announce new party leaders.

“Contrary to expectations, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, the then national chairman, delivered a surprise resignation, issued membership cards to Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, and declared them acting national chairman and national secretary,” Bala said.

He argued that these actions violated the party’s constitution, which does not empower an outgoing chairman to appoint successors without formal voting or consensus.

Several members of the National Working Committee were reportedly taken aback by the sudden appointments.

Bala emphasized that his attendance and prior discussions with coalition partners should not be interpreted as approval of the leadership changes.

Videos show him seated alongside party stakeholders, including actor Kenneth Okonkwo, during the event.

He further revealed that the then national secretary, Sa’id Baba Abdullahi, resigned shortly after the announcement, highlighting the lack of communication with party leadership.

The Federal Government has proposed a whopping N135.22 billion in the 2026 budget for “Electoral Adjudication and Post-Election Provision,” signaling a major financial commitment to managing disputes and obligations that often follow elections in Nigeria.

The allocation, revealed in the House of Representatives Order Paper for March 31, 2026, is part of the Service-Wide Votes, a centrally managed fund for obligations not tied to a specific ministry, department, or agency.

Observers note that the allocation accounts for about 3.65% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund charges, highlighting the government’s expectation of substantial post-election legal activity.

This comes alongside the N1.01 trillion statutory transfer earmarked for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the largest recipient in that category.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have raised alarms, questioning the transparency and rationale behind the N135bn allocation.

PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong described it as a signal that INEC anticipates election disputes, implying potential weaknesses in electoral transparency.

ADC’s Bolaji Abdullahi also criticized the sum as excessive, urging clearer justification.

Legal experts and civil society organizations have joined the debate.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) noted that INEC’s internal legal mechanisms should suffice, suggesting the allocation may be far higher than necessary.

Political economist Prof. Pat Utomi argued that election-related legal costs should be borne by candidates, not the Federal Government.

Civil society leaders, including Anthony Ubani of #FixPolitics Africa and Auwal Rafsanjani of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, warned that the huge provision signals a troubling expectation of widespread election disputes, undermining public confidence in the democratic process.

Critics contend that credible, transparent elections would naturally reduce litigation and taxpayer expense.

They argue that the focus should be on strengthening electoral integrity, including real-time result transmission, transparency, and enforcement of existing laws, rather than budgeting billions to manage legal fallout.

The government and INEC have yet to fully clarify the intended use of the N135bn, leaving many stakeholders calling for accountability and reassessment of the controversial line item.