A fresh war of words has erupted within the African Democratic Congress as factional leader Nafiu Bala Gombe publicly challenged former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso over the deepening leadership crisis in the party.
The ADC, which has recently attracted key opposition figures positioning against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been grappling with a prolonged leadership dispute that has split the party into factions.
The crisis has created two major camps, with Bala’s group and another faction reportedly aligned with former Senate President David Mark both laying claim to the party’s leadership.
Kwankwaso, who recently moved into the ADC, had earlier expressed concern over Bala’s alleged refusal to honour an invitation aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute. Speaking during an interview with DCL Hausa, the former governor criticised Bala’s approach and suggested that the younger politician ignored what he described as guidance from a more experienced political figure.
However, Bala Gombe responded strongly, dismissing remarks about his age and rejecting any attempt to undermine his authority within the party. He also questioned Kwankwaso’s intentions, accusing the former governor of working against the ADC from within.
“Even if I am young, Kwankwaso has no right to look down on me,” Bala Gombe said.
He further alleged that Kwankwaso’s actions had raised suspicion about his loyalty to the party, suggesting that external influences might be contributing to the ongoing crisis.
Bala also addressed controversy surrounding his age, clarifying that he is 46 years old and not 35, as previously claimed in some quarters. According to him, age should not be used to discredit leadership, particularly in a political environment where many leaders rose to prominence at relatively young ages.
In a broader message, Bala called on older politicians to step back from active power struggles and allow younger Nigerians to assume leadership roles in political parties and national affairs.
“They should allow youths to steer the affairs of our parties and the country while they play advisory roles,” he said.
The ADC chieftain also revisited developments from the 2023 presidential election, recalling that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and several northern leaders had urged Kwankwaso to step down for the sake of regional political unity.
According to Bala, Kwankwaso declined the request at the time, and therefore has no moral authority to advise or criticise him in the current dispute.
“Having refused to step down then, he has no moral justification to bully or advise me on the injustice being done to me by impostors in the ADC. Nobody can bully me,” Bala Gombe stated.
The latest exchange highlights growing tension within the ADC as internal divisions deepen, raising concerns about the party’s cohesion at a time when opposition figures are seeking stronger alliances ahead of future political contests.
Political observers say the outcome of the leadership dispute could significantly shape the party’s future and its ability to position itself as a viable opposition platform in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
