A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by its National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, on Thursday distanced itself from the reported defection and registration of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi at the party’s Enugu zonal office, describing the exercise as unconstitutional and inconsistent with established membership procedures. The faction, which identified itself as the authentic national leadership of the ADC, said the reported registration violated the party’s constitution and should not be recognised as valid, amid growing public debate over Obi’s political future.
The clarification followed reports that Obi had formally defected to the ADC and was registered at the party’s Enugu zonal office. The development was announced at a high-profile political gathering held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State, where the former Anambra State governor addressed supporters and opposition figures. At the event, Obi called on Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline,” framing his move as part of a larger effort to reposition the opposition ahead of future elections.
In response, the Gombe-led faction issued a New Year message from Abuja, stressing the need to correct what it described as misleading information circulating in the public domain regarding the ADC’s membership registration process. Gombe said the party was founded on principles of order, discipline, and strict adherence to constitutional provisions, adding that its rules on membership admission were clearly defined and could not be bypassed for any individual, regardless of political standing.
“It has come to our attention that a certain Mr Peter Obi was reportedly registered at a party zonal office in Enugu,” Gombe said in the statement. “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.” He added that any deviation from the laid-down process undermines internal party discipline and the rule-based culture the ADC claims to uphold.
Gombe further outlined the constitutionally recognised process for joining the party, emphasising that registration must begin at the ward level. “The process of registering with the ADC is clearly outlined as follows: ward registration. 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 said. According to him, only after successful ward-level registration can a validated membership card be issued to a new member.
The faction insisted 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 of their designated wards. Any registration carried out contrary to this provision is considered irregular and invalid,” Gombe stated. He added that the national leadership was investigating the reported registration of Obi at the Enugu zonal office as a breach of due process.
“Therefore, the office of the national chairman distances the original, constitutionally governed ADC from the reported registration of Mr Peter Obi at the Enugu zonal office,” the statement said, while urging party supporters and the general public to disregard claims suggesting alternative channels for joining the party. The faction reiterated that ward-level registration remains the only recognised method of admission into the ADC.
The controversy has also drawn reactions from Obi’s former party, the Labour Party, which appeared unfazed by the reported defection. The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party described Obi’s move to the ADC as a “liberation” for the party, suggesting that his exit marked the end of a strained political relationship that had deteriorated over time.
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 general election. According to him, Obi’s departure merely formalised a political separation that had existed for months, largely driven by an unresolved leadership crisis within the party and deep disagreements over control and direction.