By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Nafiu Bala-Gomber-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it has not announced or sanctioned any national convention.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, April 21, the Chief of Staff to the National Chairman, Bala Kumo, dismissed a viral video alleging that the venue of the faction’s national convention in Abuja was deserted.
The video, which went viral across several social media platforms, showed an empty facility and claimed that the “venue slated for the national convention of the Nafiu Bala-led faction” at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium was deserted, with no delegates, officials, or signs of activity at the time the event was scheduled to begin.
However, the Gombe-led faction dismissed the video as fabricated, describing it as part of a coordinated propaganda effort by political opponents.
The statement read, “The said video, produced by agents of the coalition’s propaganda machinery, makes reference to a purported elective convention of the ADC allegedly conducted at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja.
“For purposes of clarity and to set the record straight, the ADC under the national leadership of Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe has not, at any time, issued a notice of an elective convention to its members, nor has it authorised any such gathering.”
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The statement further stressed that the party remains committed to due process, constitutionalism, and the rule of law, noting that it would await the outcome of an ongoing legal matter before the Federal High Court as well as a related appeal before the Supreme Court.
“As a responsible and law-abiding political party that upholds the tenets of due process, constitutionalism, and the rule of law, the ADC shall await the determination of the suit currently pending before the Federal High Court and the related appeal before the Supreme Court. The matter has been adjourned to 22nd April 2026.
“We remain confident in the judicial process and optimistic that the judgement of the court will affirm our position. Upon delivery of the said judgement, the party shall, through its official and recognised channels, duly communicate the approved schedule of activities to our esteemed members and the general public,” the statement added.
The development comes amid an ongoing legal battle over the party’s leadership, which has deepened factional divides ahead of the 2027 general election.
The internal crisis is related to tensions over the party’s national leadership structure involving former Senate President, David Mark.
A faction of the party led by Nafiu Bala Gombe is laying claim to the position of national chairman of the ADC.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, on April 1, announced the derecognition of the Mark-led leadership of the party.
However, the Mark-led ADC has reaffirmed that it remains strong and has gone ahead to hold its national convention on Tuesday, April 14.
