The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been plunged into a leadership dispute after former National Vice Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe petitioned a court to be recognised as the party's National Chairman. Bala rejected the process that installed Senator David Mark as leader and denied voluntarily resigning from the party's National Working Committee (NWC). The crisis deepened when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition of the David Mark‑led NWC.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains split into two factions: one aligned with governors led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and another supporting Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed. In a recent meeting between the ADC and Turaki's PDP faction, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde described the gathering as a show of solidarity with the ADC, while faction spokesman Ini Ememobong said discussions were still ongoing. Turaki later said the talks aimed to protect democratic ideals that transcend party lines.
The Progressive Peoples Alliance (PRP) National Chairman Dr Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed attended a weekend meeting with the ADC, condemning what he termed "interference of critical state institutions" in party affairs. He warned that such actions could jeopardise free and fair elections in 2027 and urged the removal of "unfair and unverified" restrictions on the ADC and other parties. Dr Baba‑Ahmed added that a coalition is forming on the ground, though only a few parties are prepared to join.
Dr Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed's warning that state agencies are meddling in party leadership battles signals a deeper erosion of trust in Nigeria's electoral framework ahead of the 2027 polls. His accusation that INEC has derecognised the ADC's NWC underscores the seriousness of the interference claim.
The split within the PDP, coupled with the ADC's internal turmoil, reflects a broader pattern of factionalism that weakens opposition cohesion. By aligning with Turaki's governor‑led camp and seeking a coalition, opposition forces are attempting to overcome these divisions, yet the reluctance of many parties to "step up" suggests lingering skepticism about a unified front.
For ordinary Nigerians, the prospect of a fragmented opposition could limit genuine choice at the ballot box, especially if state actors continue to influence internal party dynamics. Voters in swing states such as Oyo may find their preferences swayed by behind‑the‑scenes negotiations rather than clear policy platforms.
If the current trajectory persists, the 2027 election could become a contest dominated by the ruling APC, with opposition parties struggling to present a credible alternative—a scenario that would diminish democratic competition and voter confidence across the country.
