The factional leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Saturday criticised key opposition figures for pressuring the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act 2026, insisting their actions did not reflect the party’s official position.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the National Chairman of the ADC faction, Nafiu Gombe, attributed the party’s poor showing in the recently concluded 2026 Abuja Area Council elections to alleged violations of due process by some coalition partners.
Gombe formally distanced the authentic ADC leadership from an international press conference convened by opposition figures, who had called for urgent amendments to the Electoral Act. “The authentic national leadership of the African Democratic Congress distances itself entirely from the international press conference held by these factions. They do not speak for our party,” he said.
He also criticised the David Mark-led coalition within the party for accusing the National Assembly of overstepping its constitutional mandate in passing the 2026 Electoral Act. “The National Assembly is empowered by the constitution to establish the Electoral Act. Accusing them of performing their duty is misguided. Rather than attacking the legislature, our coalition partners should focus on normalising and formalising their relationship with our great party,” Gombe said.
The ADC factional chairman further accused dissenting voices of undemocratic conduct and internal power struggles, which he said had led the international community to ignore their appeals. He urged party members and coalition partners to return to ADC ward offices nationwide to register formally and strengthen the party’s grassroots structure.
“Your power mongering and refusal to reconcile aspirations for the betterment of the country are the main reasons the international community ignores your appeals. Politics should be about service, not self-aggrandisement. We urge you to come back home. Help us rebuild and salvage this nation from the grassroots. The Authentic ADC remains the vehicle for true change in Nigeria,” Gombe added.
The development comes amid renewed agitation by leaders of the ADC and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who on Thursday demanded immediate amendments to the Electoral Act 2026, describing some of its provisions as anti-democratic and biased ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The Senate swiftly dismissed the call, advising opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, to channel their concerns through the National Assembly rather than the media.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the NNPP National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, insisted that contentious provisions of the law needed urgent review.
Under the Electoral Act 2022, political parties could nominate candidates through direct primaries, indirect primaries conducted by delegates, or consensus arrangements. The 2026 version, assented to by Bola Tinubu on February 18, restricts parties to only direct primaries and consensus options, shortens campaign periods, and adjusts funding timelines for the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Opposition leaders have alleged that the changes favour the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections, claims dismissed by both the Senate and the ADC factional leadership, which insists the legislature acted within its constitutional powers.