A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by National Chairman Nafiu Gombe, has dismissed claims that it is courting former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, or New Nigeria Peoples Party leader Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gombe, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, described the reports as baseless and reaffirmed that his group remains the authentic leadership of the party, focused on strengthening the ADC as an independent and ideologically driven political platform. He urged members and the public to disregard speculation and emphasized that party decisions would strictly follow the ADC constitution and internal processes.
“The party strongly appeals to its members and the general public to completely disregard and ignore the unfounded rumours circulating about political alignments involving individuals such as Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Goodluck Jonathan,” Gombe said.
The chairman also highlighted recent party activities, including the inauguration of Zonal Congress Committees in the South-West, South-East, and North-Central geopolitical zones, which he said underscored the party’s commitment to internal democracy and dispelled rumours of secret political deals. Committees were inaugurated on January 5 and January 7, 2026, with chairpersons and appeal committee heads duly appointed in each zone.
Gombe reaffirmed that only fully registered and financially up-to-date members are eligible to vote or be voted for in party elections, stressing the importance of due process and internal cohesion as the ADC prepares for the 2027 presidential race.
His remarks come amid heightened competition within opposition politics, with several high-profile aspirants, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, declaring interest in securing the ADC’s presidential ticket. Atiku, in particular, has vowed not to withdraw from the contest, accusing the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to influence the party’s internal processes.
The developments set the stage for a closely contested opposition primary, with the ADC seeking to maintain party unity while navigating rising speculation and political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.
