The faction of the African Democratic Congress led by Nafiu Bala Gombe on Tuesday rejected a viral video claiming that its planned national convention in Abuja ended in embarrassment.
The widely circulated clip alleged that the venue scheduled for the faction’s convention at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola International Stadium was empty, with no delegates, officials, or visible activity when the event was meant to begin.
The footage, which showed a deserted facility, sparked speculation about internal divisions within the party and raised concerns about the legitimacy of the rival leadership claims that have troubled the ADC in recent months.
This development comes as the Supreme Court is set to hear a case involving the faction and the group led by David Mark.
Reacting to the video, the Nafiu Bala faction described it as fake and part of a coordinated propaganda campaign by political opponents.
In a statement released in Abuja, Bala Kumo, Chief of Staff to the National Chairman, explained that the Gombe-led leadership never announced or approved any elective convention.
He said, “The said video, produced by agents of the coalition’s propaganda machinery, makes reference to a purported elective convention of the ADC allegedly conducted at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja.
“For purposes of clarity and to set the record straight, the ADC under the national leadership of Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe has not, at any time, issued a notice of an elective convention to its members, nor has it authorised any such gathering.”
Kumo emphasised that the party would follow due process and respect the rule of law, adding that it would wait for the outcome of cases before the Federal High Court and the Supreme Court.
“As a responsible and law-abiding political party that upholds the tenets of due process, constitutionalism, and the rule of law, the ADC shall await the determination of the suit currently pending before the Federal High Court and the related appeal before the Supreme Court. The matter has been adjourned to 22nd April 2026.
“We remain confident in the judicial process and optimistic that the judgment of the court will affirm our position.
“Upon delivery of the said judgment, the party shall, through its official and recognised channels, duly communicate the approved schedule of activities to our esteemed members and the general public,” he stated.
With the court’s ruling expected soon, attention is turning to how the decision may influence the ADC’s internal structure and its preparedness for upcoming national elections.
Meanwhile, another faction of the ADC aligned with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has announced plans to organise a separate national convention, distancing itself from claims of external interference.
Kachikwu revealed this to The PUNCH during a recent press conference, where he also rejected the convention conducted by the David Mark-led group in Abuja.
He stated that his faction, which he described as the “real ADC,” is already making arrangements to hold conventions and congresses at all levels.
He said, “We are carrying INEC along and communicating to let them know of our proposed dates and venue. When that has been formally done, I believe the party will communicate that to the press.
“I want you to know, I want Nigerians to know that the court order preventing the David Mark-led gang from doing anything does not affect the NEC of the party or the real ADC in any way.
“The court order was specific to David Mark’s gang and Nafiu Bala, I believe. It had nothing to do with the real ADC. So that does not stop us from doing anything with our party or concerning our conventions and congresses.”
Kachikwu also rejected allegations that his faction is being funded by President Bola Tinubu, insisting the claims are unfounded.
“I don’t see that in the Nigerian media. Maybe they were made on social media. I don’t think anybody who knows me or my antecedents would ever suggest that I’ve been bankrolled by the President.
“As a matter of fact, in my last press briefing, I alluded to the fact that President Tinubu and these geriatrics, who claim to be ADC, are working in cahoots.
“Let David Mark and others explain why they left all the other 17 or 18 parties who had no court cases and came to the ADC, which has about five litigations when they came. There’s something fishy there.
“But to answer your question clearly, the men who probably make that claim that I’m being bankrolled by the Presidency are people who don’t have a 9-to-5 job or do anything for a living.
“These are people who are trying to restore their personal economies, because all they’ve done in the last four decades is to hold public offices. Now that they are no longer in public offices, and they are finding it difficult to face reality,” he argued.
Despite the internal crisis, Kachikwu expressed confidence that the ADC would still feature in the 2027 elections.
He said, “ADC is facing a very awkward path in trying to be on the ballot.
“We are approaching the courts to ensure that INEC does what is right by the ADC. The fact that people have come from the outside to try to distract our party and affect all party members who are trying to vie for political office should not affect our political fortunes.
“Just imagine what happens when about 40 or 50 people just go into any party and instigate the kind of chaos we found ourselves at the ADC, and the court says it’s the internal affairs of the party. Where will we be as a nation? We’ll have anarchy and chaos. We should not allow this to happen.”
