A fresh leadership crisis has emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as a faction of the party petitions the United States Embassy in Abuja over an alleged unconstitutional takeover attempt.
The faction, led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, is calling on the United States to impose sanctions, including visa restrictions, on individuals accused of undermining the party’s internal democratic processes.
In a formal complaint addressed to the embassy, Gombe declared himself the legitimate National Chairman of the party, alleging that certain politicians violated the ADC constitution and failed to follow due process in assuming leadership positions.
The dispute follows the reported resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, along with members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Gombe argued that, by the party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman is expected to assume leadership in the event of a vacancy. He maintained that as the only Deputy National Chairman who did not resign, he is constitutionally empowered to lead the party.
According to him, external political actors are attempting to hijack the party’s leadership structure without following laid-down procedures, a development he described as a threat to democratic norms.
He further disclosed that the matter has been taken to court, while accusing opposing factions of spreading propaganda and making unfounded claims linking the crisis to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Gombe denied any affiliation with the president or the APC.
The petition urged the United States to monitor what it described as “anti-democratic practices” within the party and to take decisive action if the alleged unconstitutional takeover succeeds.
Gombe also appealed for the withdrawal of privileges such as visas and diplomatic recognition from individuals found to be complicit, stressing that such measures would reinforce global support for democratic principles.
He added that the appeal was necessary to safeguard internal democracy within the ADC and uphold constitutional order in Nigeria.
