Date:
15 July 2026 2:54pm WAT
A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by its National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to publicly apologise to the party’s members and stakeholders over what it described as unauthorised statements made on behalf of the party.
The faction also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately remove the names of Senator David Mark and members of his National Working Committee (NWC) from its portal.
In a statement signed by Gombe, the faction urged INEC to recognise only what it described as the authentic National Working Committee of the ADC, claiming its position was backed by a court judgment.
The party maintained that a court judgment directed the electoral commission to withdraw recognition from the David Mark-led NWC and invalidated all decisions, resolutions and actions taken by the committee.
Gombe also warned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to stop presenting himself as the African Democratic Congress’ presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
According to the statement, “The legitimate leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, under the guidance of Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, hereby calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately remove the names of Senator David Mark and the members of his NWC from the Commission’s portal.
“INEC is further requested to upload and recognize only the authentic members of the National Working Committee of the ADC, in strict compliance with the judgment of the Court. The said judgment directed INEC to withdraw recognition from the David Mark-led NWC and further invalidates all decisions, resolutions, and actions taken by that Committee.
“In addition, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress hereby issues a formal and final warning to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to desist, with immediate effect, from parading himself as the Presidential Candidate of the ADC. We reiterate our earlier position that His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is not and has never been the Presidential Candidate of the ADC for the 2027 General Elections.
“We urge Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to refrain forthwith from using the Party’s name, logo, and emblem in spreading falsehoods and misinformation about the African Democratic Congress.
“We also gave him a 7-day ultimatum to come out and tender a public apology to the members and stakeholders of the ADC for making unauthorized statements on behalf of the Party. Failure to comply with the above demand within the stipulated period, we shall seek appropriate legal redress.”
The Gombe-led faction also called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the activities of Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
He urged the security agencies to arrest and prosecute Abdullahi, alleging that he disseminated false information capable of misleading the public, inciting unrest and threatening public peace.
