APC pressuring INEC to recognise expelled member Nafiu Gombe as our national chairman, says ADC
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused powerful figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a plot to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into recognizing an expelled member, Nafiu Bala Gombe, as the party’s national chairman.
In a statement on Monday signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, it described the alleged scheme as a “desperate and sinister” effort to destabilize the opposition party and ensure President Bola Tinubu faces no credible challengers in the 2027 presidential election. The party claimed the plot is being driven by an unnamed APC governor in collaboration with a senior security official based in Abuja.
According to the ADC, Gombe, who was expelled from the party for actions inconsistent with its constitution and principles, is being used as a “willing instrument” to create confusion and sponsor illegitimate leadership claims. The statement highlighted that Gombe had previously claimed to be the deputy national chairman under former leader Ralph Nwosu but was removed following internal decisions.
The ADC emphasized that its leadership was legitimately transferred to a coalition led by Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola during a combined meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) in July 2025. This transition, witnessed by INEC officials, was formally recognized by the electoral body in September 2025.
Further bolstering their position, the party noted that a Federal High Court dismissed a challenge to Mark’s leadership on March 6, 2026, citing a Supreme Court precedent that party leadership matters are internal affairs.
The ADC warned that such attempts represent a “dangerous assault on democratic pluralism” and undermine Nigerians’ right to support credible alternatives amid widespread economic challenges attributed to the ruling party.
“We know them and their game plans, and we will resist them by all lawful democratic means,” the statement read, calling on the public, party members, and institutions to disregard Gombe’s claims and activities.
