According to Saturday Sun, the talks are still at an exploratory stage and were triggered by the ongoing dispute over the party’s leadership structure.

At the centre of the crisis is Nafiu Bala Gombe, the former Deputy National Chairman, who is currently in court seeking recognition as the party’s legitimate National Chairman. His claim is being strongly opposed by the current ADC leadership.

Court documents show that Gombe earlier submitted a resignation letter dated May 17, 2025, in which he said he was stepping down to allow for “smooth and effective coalition and restructuring.” The party subsequently informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which acknowledged receipt of the notice.

The ADC later held a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on July 29, 2025, at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, monitored by INEC officials, where former Senate President David Mark was ratified as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola emerged as National Secretary. INEC thereafter updated its records to reflect the new leadership.

However, Gombe, whose name appeared on the NEC attendance register, later challenged the outcome at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that his resignation letter was forged. The party has dismissed the allegation, insisting the resignation was genuine, while no public police complaint has been filed regarding the claim.

INEC’s handling of the matter has also drawn attention. Although it initially recognised the Mark–Aregbesola-led leadership after the NEC meeting, the commission later suspended that recognition in April 2026, citing a Court of Appeal preservation order obtained by Gombe’s legal team. INEC has since argued in court that injunctions cannot apply to completed actions and maintained that internal party disputes are not for judicial interference.

The shift in INEC’s position has raised questions among political observers.

Meanwhile, sources say the lingering uncertainty has pushed some senior ADC figures into quiet talks with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a contingency plan if the crisis is not resolved. One source said, “Nobody wants to leave, but nobody is going to sit and watch everything get destroyed.”

Although no formal decision has been announced, insiders claim the discussions are already at an advanced stage.

The NDC’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, has described the party as open to politicians affected by instability elsewhere, warning that weakening opposition parties could endanger Nigeria’s democracy. He also urged INEC to remain neutral in party disputes.

On its part, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied any involvement in the ADC crisis, insisting the matter is purely internal. APC officials and presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare maintained that opposition instability is not being influenced by the ruling party.

However, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi has accused the APC of attempting to weaken opposition parties, warning that unchecked instability could push Nigeria toward a one-party system.

The crisis comes as the ADC intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections, with party primaries expected soon—raising concerns that the unresolved leadership tussle could trigger further legal and political complications.