A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by its National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, has disowned the reported defection and registration of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the party’s Enugu zonal office.
The faction, which claims to be the authentic national leadership of the ADC, described the registration exercise as a violation of the party’s constitution and membership protocols.
Naijaonpoint had earlier reported that Obi formally joined the ADC during an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, where he called for a broad opposition coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
In a New Year statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Gombe said the party was compelled to address what it termed misleading information regarding the proper procedure for membership registration.
“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.
The chairman explained that ADC’s constitution strictly mandates membership registration at the ward level within an individual’s state of origin or residence.
“Prospective members must register at their respective ward levels. This is the primary and constitutionally recognised point of entry,” he noted.
He added that membership cards are issued only after successful ward-level registration and validation.
“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,” he added.
Gombe said the party is currently investigating the incident and called on members and the public to disregard claims suggesting alternate registration channels.
The ADC faction’s statement came a day after the Labour Party’s Julius Abure-led National Working Committee reacted to Obi’s defection, describing it as a “liberation.”
In a statement issued by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party expressed regret over fielding Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.
“His exit only formalised a political separation that had existed for months,” Ifoh said, referencing the internal leadership crisis that has dogged the Labour Party.