The leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated on Friday as a factional national chairmanship claimant, Nafi’u Gombe, rejected reconciliation efforts led by the David Mark-aligned bloc.
His stance followed comments by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who recently joined the Mark-led faction, expressing frustration that Gombe failed to attend a scheduled meeting.
Kwankwaso, in a Hausa interview, said he waited for hours without Gombe’s appearance.
However, speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, Gombe insisted he would not engage in any talks with what he described as “illegitimate leaders”, maintaining that he remains the lawful head of the party.
“I will not respond to any invitation for talks. They do not have the authority to summon me,” Mr Gombe said.
He accused the Mark-led faction and its supporters of bypassing constitutional procedures in their entry into the party, saying they joined the ADC “through the window, not the door.”
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According to him, all leadership processes must strictly follow due process before any recognition or authority can be conferred within the party structure.
Gombe added that his current priority is to reposition the ADC to challenge President Bola Tinubu in future elections rather than engage in internal negotiations.
He also expressed confidence in the ongoing legal battle over the party’s leadership, saying a favourable court ruling would enable him to restructure the party and remove those he considers improperly admitted.
“If I win in court, I will expel those who did not follow due process, they have to return to the constitution and follow it to the later” he said.
In a separate remark, Gombe called for sweeping reforms within the party, including a proposed age limit for candidates.
“The ADC will prioritise youth inclusion. Anyone above 55 years should not be given the party’s ticket,” he said.