A factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has expressed disappointment that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has yet to personally contact him amid the leadership crisis rocking the opposition party.
Bala, who spoke during an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday, said he regarded Atiku as a father figure but was surprised that the former vice-president had not reached out to him despite their coming from the same geopolitical zone.
The ADC factional leader, however, maintained that he remained willing to work with Atiku, former Senate President David Mark and other prominent party leaders to strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
His comments came amid the lingering leadership dispute within the ADC, following a court judgment which he said had vindicated his faction and affirmed its position in the party’s leadership structure.
Expressing gratitude over the ruling, Bala said the court had recognised the merits of his faction’s case, insisting that its position was supported by the provisions of the party’s constitution.
“Alhamdulillah. As we always say, truth is truth, while lies remain lies. Allah has vindicated us. The court has seen the merit of our case and our truthfulness and has decided to return the party leadership to us,” he said.
He disclosed that his faction was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before approaching the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to effect the necessary changes to the party’s leadership records.
Despite the legal victory, Bala said he was not interested in using the judgment to settle scores with members of the opposing faction, urging them to embrace reconciliation in the interest of the opposition.
“This is not a fight. Allah has given us victory, but we are not enemies. We are extending a hand of friendship to them to stop being arrogant and whatever they may say, so that we can strengthen the opposition and face the government,” he stated.
Bala insisted that all those seeking to join the ADC or contest elections on its platform must comply with the party’s constitution, particularly provisions relating to membership registration, payment of dues and eligibility for leadership positions.
According to him, the party’s constitution requires members to fulfil certain conditions, including two years of membership and payment of stipulated dues, before qualifying for leadership positions.
He accused the opposing faction of failing to follow the party’s membership registration procedures, alleging that David Mark obtained his membership card from a former national chairman in Abuja instead of registering at his ward.
The factional leader said he had repeatedly warned members of the opposing group about the consequences of disregarding the party’s constitution, but his advice was ignored.
He also dismissed allegations that he was working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the opposition, insisting that his decision to approach the court was motivated by his desire to protect his rights and uphold the ADC constitution.
“I went to court with only the constitution. I told the world that if they had followed the right procedures, the court should rule in their favour. But if we were right, we should be given our rights,” he said.
On the continued appearance of Atiku’s and David Mark’s names on INEC’s portal, Bala said the commission would take the necessary action once it received the Certified True Copy of the judgment.
He rejected suggestions that INEC was deliberately delaying the implementation of the ruling, arguing that the commission might not have received the official court document.
Bala also dismissed arguments that the large crowds attracted by the ADC during political engagements in Sokoto and Kebbi states should have persuaded him to abandon his legal battle.
He maintained that political popularity and financial influence should not be used as justification for disregarding the law, warning that Nigeria could not make progress if influential politicians continued to violate established rules.
The ADC factional leader further alleged that some individuals involved in the leadership dispute had circulated documents claiming that he had resigned from his position, describing the claims as misleading.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Bala said his faction had directed all aspirants seeking elective positions under the ADC platform to continue their campaign activities.
He urged members of the opposing faction to exercise patience, comply with the party’s constitutional provisions and complete their membership registration at their respective wards.
He also disclosed that his faction largely depended on membership dues and other contributions generated through the party’s internal activities to finance its operations.
Meanwhile, the leadership crisis has continued to generate controversy, with the ADC recently criticising the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over disciplinary proceedings initiated against Kalu Kalu, a lawyer representing Atiku.
The NBA had on Friday petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) over alleged insulting remarks made by Kalu against Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on November 11.
Kalu had reportedly described the judge as a “coconut judge” while discussing a judgment delivered against the ADC and its implications for the party’s political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although the programme’s host cautioned him against making disparaging remarks about a sitting judge and asked him to withdraw the comment, Kalu eventually agreed, maintaining that his disagreement with the judge could be expressed through an examination of the substance of the case.
Reacting to the NBA’s action, the ADC accused the association of double standards and questioned why it had not expressed similar concerns when the Court of Appeal reportedly criticised Justice Lifu’s conduct in a June 2026 ruling.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party argued that the NBA should be more concerned about alleged judicial misconduct than sanctioning a lawyer for expressing his views.
“Why is the NBA only now finding its voice because a politician, who also happens to be a lawyer, has said something that some people find uncomfortable? What has Kalu Kalu said about Justice Peter Lifu that the Court of Appeal has not already said?” the party queried.
The ADC also warned the NBA against allowing itself to be drawn into what it described as a political campaign against opposition figures.
“We respect the NBA for its noble history in the defence of democracy and the rule of law. However, the Association must be careful not to allow itself to be perceived as throwing its hat into the political ring on the side of a ruling party that already boasts openly of hijacking our judicial institutions and the Nigerian Bar,” the statement added.
The NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, had condemned Kalu’s choice of words, stressing that lawyers were free to scrutinise court judgments, challenge judicial reasoning and point out errors but must not resort to personal attacks against judges.
She maintained that judges should be held accountable for their decisions but warned that insulting judicial officers neither establishes that a judgment is wrong nor provides a legal remedy for an aggrieved party.
