2027 elections: Gombe opens ADC door for Atiku, others

The factional chief of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has prolonged an invite to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark and different occasion chieftains to work along with his faction, following a courtroom judgment that favoured his place within the occasion’s lingering management dispute.

Gombe stated the ruling shouldn’t be used as a possibility to settle political scores, declaring his readiness to reconcile with members of the opposing camp and construct a stronger opposition forward of the 2027 normal elections, blueprint studies.

He made the attraction throughout an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday, November 14, 2026, whereas reacting to the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the management construction beneath which Mark and different officers emerged.

“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,” Gombe stated.

The ADC factional chief, nevertheless, harassed that reconciliation would require all members, together with Atiku, Mark and their supporters, to adjust to the occasion’s constitutional provisions.

He stated anybody in search of to hitch the occasion or contest an elective place on its platform should register on the ward stage, pay the required membership dues and fulfill the eligibility situations for the positions they intend to occupy.

Gombe maintained that the courtroom ruling had vindicated his faction, arguing that the management transition which produced the Mark-led group was inconsistent with the provisions of the ADC structure.

He disclosed that his faction was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment earlier than approaching the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to impact the mandatory adjustments to the occasion’s management data.

The judgment, delivered by a Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5, nullified the management construction headed by Mark and invalidated the selections taken beneath it, together with Atiku’s nomination because the occasion’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The improvement has deepened uncertainty over the ADC’s preparations for the polls, with the occasion’s rival management camp rejecting the judgment and indicating plans to problem it.

Gombe expresses disappointment with Atiku

Beyond the occasion management dispute, Gombe additionally expressed disappointment that Atiku had not personally contacted him regardless of their widespread North-East background.

He described the previous vice-president as a father determine however stated he anticipated him to achieve out amid the disaster rocking the occasion.

Gombe stated he was nonetheless prepared to work with Atiku and different distinguished occasion figures, insisting that their variations shouldn’t forestall efforts to strengthen the opposition.

He additionally dismissed ideas that he was being sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the opposition, sustaining that his choice to method the courtroom was motivated by his need to defend his rights and uphold the ADC structure.

According to him, political reputation, monetary affect and the crowds attracted by rival political camps shouldn’t be used to justify disregard for occasion guidelines and established authorized procedures.

Aspirants directed to proceed preparations

On the occasion’s preparations for the 2027 elections, Gombe stated his faction had directed aspirants in search of elective positions on the ADC platform to proceed their political actions and marketing campaign preparations.

He urged members of the opposing camp to stay affected person, full their membership registration at their respective wards and adjust to the occasion’s constitutional provisions.

He additionally dismissed ideas that INEC was intentionally delaying motion on the courtroom ruling, explaining that the fee won’t but have acquired the licensed courtroom paperwork required to replace its data.

Gombe additional stated his faction relied largely on membership dues and contributions from members to finance its actions.

He known as on Nigerian youths to stay peaceable and law-abiding, warning in opposition to permitting themselves to be drawn into political confrontations, whereas urging political actors to respect democratic establishments and the rule of regulation.

The invitation to Atiku, Mark and different occasion leaders represents a recent try at reconciliation inside the ADC, though the situations hooked up to the provide and the pending authorized contest over the occasion’s management go away vital questions in regards to the means of reunification.