A deepening leadership crisis has engulfed the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the political party recently endorsed by a coalition of aspirants and power blocs as the platform for the 2027 general elections. The situation, marred by strong accusations and bitter infighting, now threatens the unity of the party and the cohesion of the coalition it was meant to anchor.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, July 30, 2025, Hon. Nafi’u Bala Gombe, the ADC National Deputy Chairman, declared himself the Interim National Chairman. He cited constitutional provisions in taking this action and accused the current leadership of betraying the party by unlawfully ceding control to individuals with no legitimate ties to the party.
Bala described recent developments as “unprecedented surrender and abdication,” sharply criticizing certain leaders for what he termed “a brutal assault on ADC’s constitution” and “a total breakdown of internal democracy.”
The statement, which was also addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), labeled the actions of the outgoing leadership as reckless and unconstitutional. According to Bala, party structures had been handed over to political outsiders with no electoral history or formal membership in the ADC — a move he described as deliberate sabotage.
Bala insisted that he was now stepping into his rightful constitutional role to protect the party from collapse. He urged INEC to formally acknowledge his position as the legitimate leader of the party and vowed to take legal action if necessary.
Observers are alarmed by the timing of the crisis, especially as ADC has only recently been chosen as the united platform for opposition candidates seeking to challenge the ruling party in 2027. With internal primaries and campaign activities already underway, the rift threatens to derail months of political coordination.
The national executive of ADC has yet to respond publicly to Bala’s statement, but party insiders report rising tension and growing concern among members and stakeholders. Many fear the party may unravel just as it begins to gain national prominence.
As events unfold, attention now shifts to INEC and the party’s Board of Trustees, who are being urged to intervene promptly and restore internal order before the damage becomes irreversible.