ADC Crisis: Abbo Blames Babachir Lawal, Coalition Disputes for Party Implosion

Former Senator representing Adamawa North, Ishaku Abbo, has revealed fresh details surrounding the internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing coalition leaders and legacy stakeholders of reneging on power-sharing agreements that allegedly triggered the party’s leadership breakdown.

In a lengthy Facebook post titled “The Genesis of the Crises in ADC That Threatens Democracy in Nigeria,” the outspoken politician blamed what he described as arrogance and betrayal within the party’s new leadership structure.

According to Abbo, the crisis began after former Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe and members of the National Working Committee resigned to allow a new leadership led by former Senate President David Mark to assume control of the party alongside former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola.

He claimed that negotiations between legacy ADC members and coalition entrants included agreements to allocate key party offices across geopolitical zones to ensure inclusion.

Abbo alleged that the Northeast zone was promised the position of National Vice Chairman for Nafiu Bala as part of the arrangement.

However, he said the agreement was later reversed during the formation of the new National Working Committee.

“After the agreement was signed and sealed, the leadership reneged and installed Babachir David Lawal in the position earlier agreed upon,” Abbo stated.

The former senator alleged that Lawal opposed Bala’s emergence, reportedly questioning how a “small boy” could occupy a senior zonal office despite the presence of high-ranking political figures from the Northeast.

According to Abbo, Bala rejected an alternative offer of Zonal Financial Secretary, a development he said deepened grievances and sparked internal resistance within the party.

He further claimed that aggrieved actors subsequently began legal and political moves that escalated into the current leadership dispute.

Abbo also made unverified allegations that powerful political figures outside the ADC influenced the crisis, claiming some individuals sought favour within the Presidential Villa by taking responsibility for destabilizing the party.

He alleged that legal actions against the ADC were backed by influential politicians and suggested that the electoral commission’s actions formed part of a broader political strategy.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), recently derecognized a faction of the party — a decision that has intensified political tensions and drawn criticism from opposition figures.

Abbo urged INEC to reverse its position, warning that failure to do so could deepen distrust in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Despite his criticism, Abbo called on Nafiu Bala to withdraw ongoing legal actions and rejoin reconciliation efforts within the party.

“Be part of history for good since you have proved your point,” he appealed.

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He also announced plans to address the media in a live broadcast detailing what he described as illegality in INEC’s handling of the ADC crisis and factional disputes in Adamawa State ahead of party congresses.