A faction of the African Democratic Congress, 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 its Enugu zonal office.
The faction, which described itself as the authentic national leadership of the ADC, said the exercise violated the party’s constitution and established membership procedures.
PUNCH Online reports that Obi 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 unite under a broad coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
In a New Year message issued in Abuja, Gombe emphasized the need to address misleading reports circulating about the party’s membership registration process.
He stated that the ADC is built on order, discipline, and strict adherence to its constitution, noting that its membership registration procedures are clearly defined.
“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 clarify that this action does not comply with the constitutional and stipulated procedures for membership registration in the African Democratic Congress,” he said.
“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 recognized point of entry.
“On documentation and issuance of membership cards, a validated party membership card is issued only upon successful registration at the ward level,” the party stated.
It emphasized that its 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 added.
He further clarified, “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.”
The leadership urged party supporters and the general public to disregard claims suggesting alternative registration channels, noting that ward-level registration remains the only recognized method.
Gombe’s clarification came a day after the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party described Obi’s defection to the ADC as a “liberation” for the party.
The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday that the party regretted fielding Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
According to him, Obi’s exit only formalized a political separation that had existed for months amid a leadership crisis in the party.