ADC Faction Rejects Obi, Repudiates Enugu Registration As Invalid

A faction of the African Democratic Congress, led by National Chairman Nafiu Gombe, on Thursday rejected reports that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi had defected to the party and registered at its Enugu zonal office.

The group, claiming to represent the authentic national leadership of the ADC, said the reported registration breached the party’s constitution and proper membership procedures.

Obi had announced his defection to the ADC at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State.

At the event, the former Anambra State governor called on Nigerians and opposition forces to come together under a broad coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”

In a New Year message issued from Abuja, Gombe said it was necessary to address misleading information circulating about the party’s membership registration process.

He emphasised that the ADC is built on discipline, order, and strict adherence to its constitution, with a clearly defined process for admitting members.

“It has come to our attention that a certain Mr Peter Obi was reportedly registered at a party zonal office in Enugu. The NWC 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.

He explained that registration with the ADC is done at the ward level, where prospective members must register within their state of origin or residence, which is recognised as the constitutionally approved point of entry.

Regarding membership cards, he noted that a validated card is issued only after successful ward-level registration.

The party’s constitution does not allow for 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.

“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 party is investigating this breach of due process,” Gombe added.

He urged party supporters and the public to ignore claims suggesting alternative registration methods, stressing that ward-level registration remains the only legitimate process.

Gombe’s clarification came a day after the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party described Obi’s defection as a “liberation” for the party.

The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said in a statement from Abuja on Wednesday that the party regretted presenting Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

According to him, Obi’s exit only formalised a political separation that had existed for months amid an internal leadership crisis.