A faction of the African Democratic Congress, led by its Nationwide Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, has dismissed studies suggesting that he’s wooing former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and the New Nigeria Peoples Celebration chief, Rabiu Kwankwaso, forward of the 2027 normal election.
Gombe made the clarification in a press release issued in Abuja on Thursday, insisting that the group he leads stays the genuine nationwide management of the get together and is targeted on constructing the ADC as an impartial political platform.
“The get together strongly appeals to its members and most of the people to utterly disregard and ignore the unfounded rumours circulating about political alignments involving people resembling Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Goodluck Jonathan.
“The ADC’s focus stays on constructing a powerful, impartial, and ideologically pushed platform,” Gombe stated.
He described the claims as baseless and urged get together members and most of the people to not be distracted by hypothesis, stressing that the ADC can be guided strictly by its structure and inner processes.
“In accordance with the get together’s structure, solely absolutely registered and financially up-to-date members are eligible to vote or be voted for in all get together elections and congresses,” he added.
The factional chairman additionally introduced the conclusion of the inauguration of Zonal Congress Committees in three geopolitical zones, which he stated underscored the get together’s dedication to inner democracy and additional dispelled rumours of secret political pacts with distinguished nationwide figures.
The resolutions have been contained in a communiqué issued on the finish of the zonal inaugurations and signed by Gombe.
Based on the communiqué, the South-West Zonal Congress Committee was inaugurated in Ekiti State on January 7, 2026, Bala Sani was named chairman of the Congress Committee, whereas Kyauta Yakubu was appointed chairman of the Attraction Committee.
The inauguration was carried out by the Nationwide Chairman.
“Within the South-East, the Zonal Congress Committee was inaugurated in Enugu State on the identical date. Adamu Ado Dauda was appointed chairman of the Congress Committee, with Mrs Iyabo Alibi heading the Attraction Committee.
“Equally, the North-Central Zonal Congress Committee was inaugurated earlier on January 5, 2026. Lolo Ehirudu was appointed chairman of the Congress Committee, whereas Hon. Sa’advert Aboki was named chairman of the Attraction Committee. The ceremony was presided over by Gombe,” the assertion learn.
Past the inaugurations, the get together management reaffirmed its stance on due course of and inner cohesion.
Gombe’s remarks come amid rising pressure inside opposition politics because the race for the ADC presidential ticket gathers momentum, with a number of high-profile aspirants expressing curiosity—fueling debates round consensus, zoning and get together unity.
Atiku had vowed to not withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest, dismissing requires him to step apart as a menace to Nigeria’s democracy.
The previous presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Celebration within the 2023 election and now an aspirant on the ADC platform made the declaration in a press release signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe.
Within the assertion titled ‘Nigeria’s Democracy Below Siege: Opposition Faces Existential Risk’, Atiku accused the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress of interfering within the inner affairs of the ADC, significantly within the course of of choosing its presidential candidate.
Other than Atiku, Obi and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who contested the All Progressives Congress presidential primaries in 2022, have additionally declared curiosity in securing the ADC’s presidential ticket, setting the stage for a keenly contested opposition major forward of 2027.
