A deep-seated crisis has rocked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, with a key faction now disowning his membership.
The faction, led by the party’s National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, declared itself the authentic national leadership and stated that Obi’s reported registration at the ADC’s Enugu zonal office on Wednesday was unconstitutional and invalid.
In a New Year message issued in Abuja on Thursday, Gombe clarified that the party’s constitution mandates that all prospective members must register at their respective ward levels within their state of origin or residence, describing this as “the primary and constitutionally recognised point of entry.”
“The party’s constitution does not provide for the registration of individuals at zonal or national offices outside of their designated wards. Any registration carried out contrary to this provision is considered irregular and invalid,” Gombe stated.
He added that the National Working Committee (NWC) was investigating the breach of due process and urged the public to disregard claims of alternative registration channels.
This rejection comes just a day after Obi, at an event in Enugu, called on Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad coalition within the ADC to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
Spear News reports that the Julius Abure-led Labour Party described Obi’s exit as a “liberation,” with its National Publicity Secretary expressing regret over fielding him as its presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
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