ADC faction rejects Obi, disowns Enugu registration

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has rejected the reported registration of Peter Obi at the party’s Enugu zonal office.

The group, led by Nafiu Gombe, described the registration as invalid and claimed it violated the ADC constitution. However, INEC does not recognise Gombe or his associates as the national leadership of the party, and their statements do not represent the officially recognised ADC.

Reports had earlier indicated that Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, announced his defection to the ADC at an event held at Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State, where he called for opposition forces to unite under a broad political coalition.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the Gombe-led faction said membership of the ADC can only be processed at the ward level, arguing that registration at a zonal office has no constitutional backing.

According to the faction, the party’s rules require prospective members to register in their wards of origin or residence before documentation and issuance of a membership card.

“The constitution of the ADC does not provide for registration at zonal or national offices. Any such exercise is irregular and invalid,” the statement said.

The faction further claimed it was investigating the Enugu registration, although its authority to do so is not recognised within the party’s legally acknowledged structure.

The group urged the public to disregard claims of alternative registration channels, insisting that ward-level registration remains the only acceptable process under the party’s constitution.

Obi’s reported defection came amid ongoing leadership disputes within the Labour Party. A day earlier, the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the party described Obi’s exit as a “liberation,” saying the separation had effectively existed for months due to internal crises.