A faction of the African Democratic Congress, led by its National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, has rejected claims that it is courting former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and New Nigeria Peoples Party leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gombe, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed the reports as false and misleading, insisting that the faction he leads remains the party’s authentic national leadership and has not entered into any political pact with prominent opposition figures.
“The party strongly appeals to its members and the general public to disregard the unfounded rumours circulating about political alignments involving individuals such as Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Goodluck Jonathan,” Gombe said.
He stressed that the ADC was focused on building itself as an independent and ideologically driven political platform rather than serving as a vehicle for elite political negotiations.
“The ADC’s focus remains on building a strong, independent party guided strictly by its constitution and internal democratic processes,” he added.
The factional chairman described the speculation as a distraction and warned that only constitutionally recognised procedures would determine the party’s leadership and candidates ahead of 2027.
“In accordance with the party’s constitution, only fully registered and financially up-to-date members are eligible to vote or be voted for in all party elections and congresses,” he said.
Gombe also announced the completion of the inauguration of Zonal Congress Committees in three geopolitical zones, describing the move as proof of the party’s commitment to internal democracy and a rebuttal of claims that the ADC was being hijacked through secret political deals.
According to a communiqué issued at the end of the zonal exercises and signed by Gombe, the South-West Zonal Congress Committee was inaugurated in Ekiti State on January 7, 2026, with Bala Sani appointed chairman of the Congress Committee and Hon. Kyauta Yakubu heading the Appeal Committee.
In the South-East, the Zonal Congress Committee was inaugurated the same day in Enugu State, with Adamu Ado Dauda named chairman of the Congress Committee and Mrs Iyabo Alibi appointed chairman of the Appeal Committee.
Similarly, the North-Central Zonal Congress Committee was inaugurated on January 5, 2026. Lolo Ehirudu was appointed chairman of the Congress Committee, while Hon. Sa’ad Aboki emerged as chairman of the Appeal Committee.
Gombe said the zonal inaugurations underscored the faction’s insistence on due process, transparency, and party unity.
The statement comes amid growing tension within opposition politics as the race for the ADC’s presidential ticket intensifies, with disagreements over leadership legitimacy, consensus arrangements, and zoning dominating internal debates.
The PUNCH had reported that Atiku Abubakar recently declared he would not withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, dismissing calls for him to step aside as undemocratic.
In a statement titled ‘Nigeria’s Democracy Under Siege: Opposition Faces Existential Threat’, signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku accused the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress of interfering in the internal affairs of the ADC, particularly in the selection of its presidential candidate.
Apart from Atiku, Peter Obi and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi—who contested the All Progressives Congress presidential primaries in 2022—have also declared interest in the ADC presidential ticket, setting the stage for a fierce opposition primary ahead of the 2027 general election.
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