Crisis Engulfs ADC as Gombe Proclaims Himself National Chairman
The leadership turmoil besetting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a dramatic turn as the party’s Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, has declared himself the Interim National Chairman.
Gombe made this declaration during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, describing the ongoing discord as an “unprecedented assault on democracy” allegedly orchestrated by what he termed “political hooligans.”
He accused former party leaders of abdicating their constitutional responsibilities and surrendering control of the ADC to influential outsiders with no authentic ties to the party.
Calling for immediate intervention, Gombe urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially acknowledge the leadership change under his direction, asserting that such recognition would safeguard the integrity of the ADC’s constitution.
In his declaration, Gombe stated, “I, Honourable Nafiu Bala, a bona fide member and a duly elected National Deputy Chairman of our esteemed party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), wish to alert all party members and Nigerians at large to the ongoing acts of political hooliganism perpetrated by individuals once entrusted with the party’s leadership.
“We are all witnesses to the disgraceful display and lawlessness of these unscrupulous leaders, who, without any sense of moral restraint, have plunged our party into an unnecessary crisis and leadership uncertainty.
“The notion of mortgaging the future of our great party by abdicating the constitutional duties and responsibilities of elected officers to powerful outsiders who have never been part of the party is condemnable.
“Recently, the nation awoke to a shoddily rehearsed political melodrama, in which elected roles were swapped with certain groups of political strangers to facilitate the complete takeover of the party’s structures and political appurtenances.
“This total surrender and capitulation are unprecedented in our democratic journey towards constitutional order. We are therefore resolutely determined to challenge this affront and ensure that the party’s established rules and stipulated provisions are respected and strictly adhered to by all members.
“In the event these individuals choose to ignore our urgent calls to comply with our constitutional guidelines and remain obstinate in their aberrant behavior, we shall vigorously challenge these gross acts of impunity in the courts and bring them to justice.
“It pains us to inundate you with these scandalous occurrences within our party, but we are left with no alternative to defend our inalienable constitutional rights, as evident from the prevailing situation we find ourselves in.
“In the annals of democracy worldwide, no party leader or group of leaders possesses the power to arbitrarily transfer elected mandates or political authority to non-members who have never belonged to or contested for political office.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to restoring constitutional order and internal democracy within the ADC, emphasizing that the constitution provides clear guidelines for succession and filling vacant positions.
He added, “The constitution of our esteemed party has made adequate provisions, articulated in numerous clauses, outlining the succession guidelines and how even vacant positions should be constitutionally filled.
“Under the circumstances, and in furtherance of my constitutional mandate as the duly elected National Deputy Chairman of our esteemed party, I now assume my constitutional duty and responsibility as the Interim National Chairman of our esteemed party.
“Therefore, I hereby call upon the esteemed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently recognize this development.”
