Atiku faces criticism over the ADC crisis as a commentator questions his handling of Nafiu Bala Gombe’s challenge and compares it with Tinubu’s 2023 experience
A political commentator has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his handling of the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), questioning why he appears to be placing responsibility for his disagreement with Nafiu Bala Gombe on President Bola Tinubu.
The criticism comes amid an escalating dispute within the ADC, following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja on November 5, 2026, which nullified the party leadership structure associated with former Senate President David Mark and set aside Atiku’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The commentator argued that Atiku should have taken responsibility for managing the disagreement with Gombe rather than attributing the political difficulties facing his camp to Tinubu or the ruling establishment.
Drawing a comparison with the internal challenges faced by the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the 2023 general election, the commentator recalled how Tinubu navigated tensions with the party’s then National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
In June 2022, Adamu publicly criticised Tinubu over comments he made during a presidential campaign appearance in Abeokuta, Ogun State, about his role in Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence as president in 2015.
Adamu described the remarks as insulting to Buhari and warned that the APC could punish members who disrespected the party’s leadership.
The commentator credited former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, with helping to resolve the disagreement, claiming that he personally visited Adamu’s farm in Nasarawa State and walked to meet the former APC chairman.
According to the account, the intervention helped ease tensions, allowing Adamu to participate in the party’s campaign activities without becoming a major obstacle to Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
However, the specific account of Gbajabiamila’s visit to the farm and the circumstances surrounding the alleged reconciliation could not be independently established from the available reports.
The commentator questioned why Atiku, who has considerable political experience, could not similarly manage the disagreement with Gombe before it escalated into a major legal and political crisis.
The criticism also extended to the quality of political associates surrounding the former vice-president, with the commentator arguing that effective political leadership requires trusted negotiators and experienced strategists capable of resolving disagreements before they become serious threats.
The ADC crisis has been developing for months, with Gombe and the David Mark-led leadership laying competing claims to the party’s leadership.
In July 2026, the disagreement became more pronounced when Atiku’s media office and the ADC issued conflicting statements over claims that Gombe had obtained access to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s nomination portal.
While the party dismissed the reported access as false, Atiku’s media office accused INEC of granting Gombe access despite recognising the Mark-led leadership.
The dispute subsequently moved into the courts, culminating in Thursday’s judgment, which dealt a significant setback to Atiku’s presidential ambition.
Reacting to the ruling, Atiku described it as a calculated attempt to weaken his political support in northern Nigeria and frustrate his presidential campaign. The ADC leadership associated with Mark also rejected the judgment as politically motivated and indicated that it would appeal.
Gombe, meanwhile, welcomed the judgment, commending the court for what he described as its independent and impartial handling of the leadership dispute.
The commentator concluded that political success requires more than financial resources and public criticism, arguing that negotiation, strategic thinking and the ability to build effective relationships remain essential qualities for anyone seeking the country’s highest office.
