Why I left ADC to NDC – Akuma

By Chris Onuoha

A former prominent member of African Democratic Congress(ADC), in Ebonyi State, Chief Nelson Ahamefula Akuma has explained the reason why he had to leave the party he helped to make formidable.

Speaking in an interview with the media, he said that he had hoped that ADC would be the vehicle that would unite the opposition to bring about the much needed change of government at the centre.

However, he said that since that is now clearly no longer the case, he has to move on to Nigeria Democratic Party NDC.

In reaction to what informs his decision to defect from ADC to NDC party, Akuma said; “It was a decision that did not come lightly. I had embraced the party with all my heart with a believe it is the most credible party in Ebonyi State. I also worked towards convincing a lot of people to join the party, but in the end, it did not work out. We are very much aware of the ugly developments in the ADC party. This warranted the mass exodus of people to defect to NDC.

“Like I rightly pointed that the party is grappling with internal challenges, it is not out of place to say judiciary also played a role. The main problem in ADC party is not caused by the members but the judiciary. The judgment that the Supreme Court gave that restored David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary respectively contributed to the crisis.

Supreme Court complicated the case because the judgment was ambiguous and deliberate. The purpose is to create crisis and frustration in the party. It was the same thing they did with PDP where everybody claim victory. That judgment is unclear and confusing.

In the case of ADC, Supreme Court should not have send the matter back to the High Court for hearing as the issue involved who is the authentic leader of the party. The move created confusion, causing uncertainty in the party. And it was this unclear crisis that led to our defection from the party.

Reacting to the notion that ADC might not be on the election ballot paper with regards to political game allegedly being played by Nafiu Bala Gombe, Akuma stated that Gombe is playing written script, noting that the purpose is to make sure ADC would not be on the ballot.

“Remember that when he went to the Court of Appeal, his request was that the case should be adjourned indefinitely. That was what forced David Mark to rush to the Supreme Court. Now, at the High Court, he asked that the case be transfered to another judge. He knows that time is not on the side of authentic ADC members, knowing that the submission date of membership registration ended on Sunday, while in the next 21 days, all the political parties must have concluded primaries to pick presidential and other candidates.

“His plot is to waste time until the deadline passes, so that ADC will not be on the ballot. Even the judiciary is not helping matters. Court of Appeal ordered for accelerated hearing, while the trial judge, adjourned the matter indefinitely.

“To me, that was not so good for the party. Such plotting is to frustrate the accelerated hearing earlier ordered by the Court of Appeal and upheld by the Supreme Court. But mind you Bala Gombe is not acting alone. He is just a tool in the hand of the ruling party who are afraid of competition, simple because they know that they have not delivered on their campaign promises.

“Imagine the state of insecurity in the country. Nigeria have moved from country of particular concern to the epicenter of terrorism in the world. Every day by day, children are being turned into orphans and women are turned into widows.

Reflecting on Peter Obi’s defection to NDC, Akuma called it a smart move.

“I will say without doubt that it is a very smart move. As I speak, nobody knows the fate of ADC, that is whether it would be on the ballot or not. The people in the ruling party is trying do everything in the book to make sure that he would not be on the ballot come 2027. That was why they used Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa to chase him out of Labour Party.

“You can see that now he is no more in the party. We are no more hearing of them and peace seemed to have returned to the party. When Peter Obi joined African Democratic Congress, they went and resurrected Nafiu Bala Gombe who duly resigned from the party in October, 2025 and attended David Mark inauguration to create chaos. With Peter Obi’s exit, Bala Gombe and Leke Abejide’s assignment has ended in ADC.

What Peter Obi did is the best thing, because as I speak, I am not really sure if ADC will resolve their problems before the end of the month.

Also, the issue of zoning the NDC presidency to the South is a knock out. You know that there is a gentle man agreement between the north and the south about power rotation. After Muhammadu Buhari completed eight years in office, power rotated to the south and to go back to the north again after south has exhausted eight years. Therefore, it would be insensitive if NDC zones to any other part of the country other than south. That is why APC, PDP and LP all zoned to the south. So, zoning to the south is right and right now we have the most popular and credible politician from the south and one of the two most popular politicians in the north in the same party and by the grace of God to be on the same ticket.

Advice to Nigerians. Nigerians should join the crusade for a better Nigeria. I am conscious of the fact that the battle ahead remains formidable, but I invite the Nigerian people to join us on this exciting, though turbulent journey to a brighter future that has been long-promised and that has so far proven elusive. We have honest, transparent and credible people in NDC that would turn the tide around for the better. I appeal to all Nigerians to go and get their permanent voters card and massively vote for NDC.”

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