ADC Leadership Rejects Peter Obi’s Defection, Cites Breach of Party Constitution

ADC Leadership Rejects Peter Obi’s Defection, Cites Breach of Party Constitution

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by its National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, has distanced the party from the reported defection and registration of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the ADC’s Enugu zonal office.

The group, which described itself as the legitimate national leadership of the ADC, said the reported registration violated the party’s constitution and membership procedures, insisting that it did not recognise the exercise.

Reports had earlier emerged that Peter Obi announced his defection to the ADC at an event held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu State, where he reportedly called on Nigerians and opposition forces to form a broad coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”

However, in a New Year statement issued in Abuja, Gombe said it was necessary to correct what he described as misleading information circulating about the party’s membership process.

According to him, the ADC operates on order, discipline and strict compliance with its constitution, noting that party membership registration is clearly defined and must follow due process.

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“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 categorically states 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 ward-level registration is the only constitutionally recognised entry point into the party.

“The process of registering with the ADC is clearly outlined as follows: prospective members must register at their respective wards within their state of origin or residence. Upon successful registration, a validated party membership card is issued,” he added.

Gombe stressed that the ADC constitution does not permit registration at zonal or national offices, warning that any such action is irregular and invalid.

“The party’s constitution does not provide for registration outside designated wards. Therefore, the office of the national chairman distances the constitutionally governed ADC from the reported registration of Mr. Peter Obi at the Enugu zonal office,” he said, adding that the party had commenced an investigation into the alleged breach of due process.

The ADC leadership urged party members and the general public to disregard claims of alternative registration pathways, reiterating that ward-level registration remains the only valid procedure.

Gombe’s clarification came barely a day after the Labour Party National Working Committee, led by Julius Abure, described Obi’s defection to the ADC as a “liberation” for the party.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the party regretted presenting Obi as its 2023 presidential candidate, arguing that his exit merely formalised a political split that had lingered for months due to an internal leadership crisis.

ADC Leadership Rejects Peter Obi’s Defection, Cites Breach of Party Constitution