ADC crisis: Govs, lawmakers shelve defection plans

Plans by several governors and lawmakers to defect to the African Democratic Congress have been put on hold following a deepening leadership crisis within the party according to a report by PUNCH.

The uncertainty stems from a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove the names of a faction of the party’s National Working Committee from its official records, citing a subsisting court order.

The move has disrupted ongoing consultations by key political figures, including Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, who had been widely reported to be considering a switch to the ADC amid internal challenges in the Peoples Democratic Party.

Sources indicated that both governors have slowed down or reconsidered their plans, as the leadership dispute within the ADC casts doubt on the party’s stability and readiness to accommodate new entrants.

The crisis follows a protracted tussle between rival factions within the party, each laying claim to its national structure, prompting legal battles and conflicting interpretations of court rulings.

INEC, citing a Court of Appeal directive, said it would maintain the status quo pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court, effectively freezing recognition of the contested leadership.

The development has also created uncertainty among federal lawmakers who had signalled interest in joining the ADC, with several now adopting a wait-and-see approach as the situation unfolds.

Despite earlier indications of a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, party insiders suggest that the unfolding crisis may stall momentum and weaken the ADC’s position as a potential coalition platform for opposition forces.

For now, the fate of planned defections remains tied to the resolution of the party’s internal disputes, highlighting the fragility of emerging alliances in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.