The leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deepened on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as a faction of the party warned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to stop portraying himself as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The faction, led by National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, said Atiku was neither nominated nor authorised to fly the party’s flag.
Gombe said the faction had concluded its internal processes in line with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), producing Professor Chris Uba as its presidential candidate.
He said the clarification was necessary to counter what the faction described as attempts to misrepresent the party’s position and create confusion over its presidential ticket.
The faction also rejected the authority of a rival camp linked to former Senate President David Mark, insisting it is not a recognized organ of the ADC and lacks the constitutional mandate to conduct congresses, hold primaries or make decisions on the party’s behalf.
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It further maintained that the ADC is not part of any merger, alliance or coalition and remains committed to contesting the 2027 elections independently.
Reaffirming its support for Uba, the faction described him as its duly nominated presidential flag bearer and vowed to resist attempts by political interests to take over the party’s structure.
It also dismissed claims that the ADC could be excluded from the 2027 elections, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and constitutional institutions.
Gombe said the faction would use every legal means to defend the party’s identity, leadership and candidates while preparing to field candidates for all elective positions in the 2027 general election.
The latest development highlights the intensifying leadership battle within the ADC as rival factions continue to stake competing claims to the party’s structure and presidential ticket.