A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by its National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, has distanced itself from the reported defection and registration of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the party’s Enugu zonal office.
The faction, which described itself as the authentic national leadership of the ADC, said the purported registration violated the party’s constitution and established membership procedures.
Obi had announced his defection to the ADC at a political gathering held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, where he called on Nigerians and opposition figures to rally under a broad coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
However, in a New Year statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Gombe said it was necessary to clarify what he described as misleading information circulating in the public space regarding the party’s membership process.
He stressed that the ADC is founded on order, discipline and strict adherence to its constitution, noting that membership registration procedures are clearly defined and must be followed.
“It has come to our attention that a certain Mr Peter Obi was reportedly registered at a party zonal office in Enugu. The National Working Committee wishes to categorically state that this action does not align with the constitutional and stipulated procedures for membership registration into the African Democratic Congress,” Gombe said.
According to him, the ADC constitution recognises ward-level registration as the only valid entry point into the party.
“The process of registering with the ADC is clearly outlined. Prospective members must register at their respective ward levels within their state of origin or residence. This is the primary and constitutionally recognised point of entry,” he explained.
He added that membership cards are issued only after successful ward registration and proper documentation, stressing that the party’s constitution does not permit registration at zonal or national offices.
“The party’s constitution does not provide for the registration of individuals at zonal or national offices outside their designated wards. Any registration carried out contrary to this provision is irregular and invalid,” Gombe said.
He said the national leadership of the ADC was therefore distancing itself from the reported registration of Obi at the Enugu zonal office, adding that the party had commenced an investigation into the alleged breach of due process.
The ADC leadership also urged party members and the general public to disregard claims suggesting alternative channels for party registration, reiterating that ward-level registration remains the only recognised method.
Gombe’s clarification comes amid reactions to Obi’s exit from the Labour Party. A day earlier, the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party described Obi’s defection as a “liberation” for the party.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the party regretted fielding Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 election, adding that his departure merely formalised a political separation that had existed for months due to an internal leadership crisis.