The ongoing leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is one many Nigerians saw coming long before it erupted. According to political commentator Rotimi Fasan, the turmoil was inevitable, especially given the manner in which a new crop of politicians moved into the party and swiftly assumed control of its leadership structure.
Fasan argued that some members of the party had earlier hinted that they were prepared for any eventuality, suggesting they had alternative plans in place should events take an unexpected turn. He recalled an interview on Arise News in which former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, spoke about a “Plan B” for the group of political figures who entered the ADC in search of a new platform in July last year.
According to the commentary, what followed was not just an ordinary political alignment but what Fasan described as a hostile takeover of the party’s structure. He said the group moved beyond mere membership and went straight into occupying top leadership positions, effectively displacing existing party officials.
He questioned why the politicians involved did not simply establish a new political party if they were dissatisfied with their former platforms, arguing that their decision to move into an existing structure reflected impatience and a desire to reap where they had not laboured.
Fasan further criticised the culture of political parties existing largely as vehicles for personal ambition rather than genuine ideological movements. He described many smaller parties as paper structures created only to satisfy electoral requirements, with little grassroots support or active membership beyond a few loyal associates and family members.
According to him, such parties often remain dormant until their founders find influential political actors willing to adopt or acquire them for strategic advantage during election periods.
The crisis came to a head with the emergence of a dispute involving Nafiu Bala Gombe, who until recently served as the party’s Deputy National Chairman for the North-East. Fasan noted that Gombe, once largely unknown outside internal party circles, has now become a central figure in the struggle over the party’s leadership.
He alleged that after securing the backing of former national chairman Ralph Nwosu, the new entrants into the party treated several existing members as expendable. Under this arrangement, Gombe was reportedly removed from his position, with former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said to have benefited from the restructuring.
Fasan also referenced comments by former senator Elisha Abbo, who claimed that Babachir Lawal considered Gombe too insignificant to retain his regional leadership role under the new order.
He extended his criticism to former Senate President David Mark, describing the takeover as reflective of a long-standing pattern of power politics and disregard for democratic processes.
The writer noted that Gombe’s challenge to the Mark-led faction has now placed some of the country’s most prominent opposition figures in a difficult position. Among those reportedly affected are Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and others whose political futures may now depend on the outcome of an impending court ruling.
Fasan said the situation has elevated Gombe from relative obscurity to national prominence, making him a decisive figure in the unfolding opposition crisis.
He concluded that the current turmoil is the result of political actors who, in their rush for power, ignored obvious warning signs and failed to respect internal party processes. According to him, the crisis now leaves major opposition figures trapped in uncertainty as accusations and counter-accusations continue to fly across the political landscape.
ADC Leadership Crisis Was Foreseeable — Rotimi Fasan
