The African Democratic Congress in Gombe State has resolved its long-running internal dispute, with party leaders announcing the dissolution of all factions and the formation of a single, unified structure following a reconciliation meeting held on Wednesday.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the state secretary, Malam Danladi Yau, said the ADC in Gombe is now fully united under the leadership of Senator Abdullah Idris Umar as state leader, with Mallam Awwal Abubakar Barde assuming the role of state chairman.
Yau described the reconciliation as a significant milestone for the party, noting that it followed a court decision affirming the national leadership of Senator David Mark, a development he said has paved the way for the party to resume full political activities.
He disclosed that the ADC will soon begin a statewide membership exercise involving new registrations and the revalidation of existing membership cards.
He also encouraged residents of Gombe State to register as voters, stressing that participation in the electoral process is key to achieving political change.
In his remarks, the party’s state leader, Senator Abdullah Idris Umar, said the reconciliation process has resulted in a single, cohesive ADC structure in Gombe State, with all former factions, transition committees and stakeholders agreeing to work under a unified leadership.
Umar said the renewed unity has strengthened the party, describing the ADC as Nigeria’s most formidable opposition platform and expressing optimism that it would secure victory at the federal and state levels, as well as gain strong representation in the National Assembly and state legislatures in the 2027 general elections.
He added that the party would soon launch a comprehensive membership drive, to be followed by congresses scheduled between February and March, assuring members of inclusiveness, fairness and equal opportunity in party affairs.
Party officials said the reconciliation meeting, which drew senior party leaders and key stakeholders, formally dissolved the rival factions and set the tone for fresh mobilisation and consolidation ahead of the 2027 polls.
Before the reconciliation, the ADC in Gombe State had been weakened by prolonged internal disputes that resulted in parallel leadership structures and rival camps, creating tension within the party and slowing down its activities.
The rivalry centred on three major camps led by prominent political figures: Mallam Awwal Abubakar Barde, who lost the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in 2019 to Governor Inuwa Yahaya; Senator Idris, a former Minister of Transportation; and, to a lesser extent, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, a former Minister of Communications, who headed a third faction.
These divisions reportedly caused confusion among grassroots members and undermined the party’s capacity to mobilise effectively and project a united opposition ahead of critical political engagements.
