The African Democratic Congress has thrown its doors open to heavyweight politicians like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rauf Aregbesola, but with a stern warning to first resign from their existing political affiliations.
The Non-resigned National Executive Committee of the party said the rules are clear.
Any political figure seeking to join must formally document their exit from their old party and register as ADC members at their ward level in their home state, in strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
“Failure to comply risks legal challenges and undermines coalition credibility,” the committee said on Monday, August 11, in Abuja.
The party also moved to quash growing tension over its leadership, hailing its outgoing National Chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, for what it called his visionary leadership, while naming former Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala as the rightful Acting National Chairman.
In a direct swipe at internal rivals, the NEC rejected what it described as unconstitutional attempts to install a parallel leadership.
“The purported ‘resignation letter’ of Nafiu Bala (dated May 18, 2025) is confirmed fraudulent, lacking official ADC letterhead and contradicted by Nwosu’s July 2 statement,” it declared.
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The statement was unapologetic about its conditions for new entrants.
“We welcome leaders like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rauf Aregbesola and others but we emphasize formal resignation from previous parties must be documented.
“Registration at ward levels in home states is mandatory per the Electoral Act.
“Failure to comply risks legal challenges and undermines coalition credibility.
“Hon. Nafiu Bala will oversee daily operations and prepare for a National Convention within 90 days.
“We will seek INEC’s formal endorsement of Bala’s acting chairmanship and litigate counterfeit documents.”
The NEC also urged members to report any irregularities to the National Working Committee Secretariat and reminded them of Article 9.5 of the party constitution, which states: “No non-member shall hold office.”
This move signals that while the ADC is open to building alliances with political heavyweights, it is equally determined to enforce its rules to the letter.