ADC faction warns Atiku, Obi coalition in opposition to hijacking celebration

A recent disaster has erupted inside the African Democratic Congress forward of the 2027 elections, as a faction loyal to the factional Nationwide Chairman, Nafiu Bala, warned opposition heavyweights—together with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai—in opposition to hijacking the celebration.

The warning was issued on Thursday by the ADC Board of Trustees (BoT), which additionally handed a vote of confidence in Bala, describing the David Mark-led coalition as an unlawful construction backed by a rival management.

Addressing journalists throughout a press convention in Abuja, BoT Secretary, Chief Rufus Ekenmi, condemned what he known as “an try by some people who illegally sneaked into the celebration within the title of a coalition, infesting the ADC with the political spirit of insubordination.”

He stated, “The Board of Trustees of the ADC has noticed with no little misgiving that there’s an try to hijack the celebration by the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, David Mark, El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Babachir Lawal, Emeka Ihedioha, Liyel Imoke, and others, which is unlawful and condemnable.”

Ekenmi, represented by one other BoT member, Abdulmumeeni Ibraheem, additional described them as “politicians with a excessive propensity for impatience.”

The faction additionally mandated Bala to activate a disciplinary committee to sanction any ADC member discovered interacting with the listed leaders, insisting the celebration “is not going to condone any act of lawlessness by its members.”

Reacting to his endorsement, Bala vowed to uphold the structure of the celebration whereas promising to be truthful and goal in his management.

He additionally accused members of the coalition of breaching the ADC structure by working from a parallel headquarters.

“I need to state unequivocally that our celebration structure unambiguously stipulates that solely registered members in good standing are entitled to celebration privileges, together with entry to official premises,” Bala stated.

He added that the rival group had “circumvented the foundations governing celebration operations, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Structure,” warning that their actions threatened inside democracy.

The factional chair additionally faulted the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee for recognising Mark as ADC chairman regardless of him not being a registered member.

“The state of affairs stays fluid as stakeholders await a choice from the Federal Excessive Courtroom, which is at present difficult INEC’s recognition of David Mark’s management of the ADC—a management place for which he doesn’t maintain celebration membership,” Bala famous.

When contacted for response, Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated they may not be seen participating the Bala faction in any public debate.

“We don’t like participating in this type of dialog. In truth, we aren’t conscious that any faction exists, and we don’t need to proceed to present life to that story,” he argued.

The brand new twist comes three days after the Mark-led faction inaugurated a brand new ADC nationwide secretariat in Abuja. Notably, Atiku and Obi—two of the coalition’s largest political property—had been absent.

The constructing, beforehand used as Atiku’s presidential marketing campaign workplace over the last election, has now been taken over by the ADC.

Abdullahi dismissed strategies that the event mirrored a deeper realignment inside the opposition.

“Atiku was the tenant of this constructing. However his tenancy has lapsed. The African Democratic Congress is now the tenant of this constructing. This isn’t a sign of something,” he stated.

He insisted that the celebration remained dedicated to equity because it ready for its February congresses, including that the coalition’s construction remained unchanged.

Abdullahi additionally confirmed that Obi and El-Rufai had been anticipated to “come again absolutely” following the conclusion of the Anambra governorship election.

PidomNigeria On-line reported that the ADC has been pushing opposition figures to formally resign from their events and register absolutely with the ADC—a transfer resisted by key coalition leaders.

Obi, via his former marketing campaign spokesman Dr Yunusa Tanko, stated he would make clear his place solely after the November 8 Anambra election, insisting he wouldn’t be rushed.

The ADC inside wrangling intensified in August when Nafiu Bala introduced he had assumed workplace as Nationwide Chairman, escalating a management tussle that has left the celebration break up forward of 2027.