Tonte Ibraye Dumps ADC, Cites Leadership Crisis And 2027 Election Concerns

Former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State, Tonte Ibraye, has resigned his membership of the party, citing its prolonged leadership crisis and unresolved legal disputes surrounding its internal structures and electoral processes.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Ibraye announced his resignation in a letter dated September 24, 2026, addressed to the ADC Ward Chairman of Degema Ward 16, Bille, Rivers State. His resignation took immediate effect.

Ibraye, who contested the 2023 Rivers State governorship election on the ADC platform, said he had remained committed to the party and its principles of internal democracy, fairness and respect for legitimate party structures.

However, he said recent developments within the party had made it difficult for him to continue as a member. He particularly expressed concern over what he described as attempts by some new entrants to displace existing party executives across the country.

The former governorship candidate also raised concerns over the leadership dispute involving the faction led by former Senate President David Mark. According to Ibraye, the unresolved legal issues surrounding the party’s leadership had created uncertainty over the control of party structures and electoral processes.

Ibraye further argued that allowing a leadership whose legitimacy is being challenged to oversee the selection of candidates for the 2027 elections could raise questions about the credibility and stability of such candidates.

He described tickets emerging from what he considered disputed processes as being “on quicksand rather than solid ground,” stressing that, in his view, a political organisation could not build a credible future while its internal structures remained affected by fundamental legal and organisational disputes.

Beyond the internal crisis, Ibraye also criticised what he described as the opposition’s focus on removing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu without adequately explaining to Nigerians how it intended to govern differently.

He argued that opposition politics should go beyond the objective of defeating an incumbent and should instead be built around a clear programme capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.

Declaring his decision to leave the party, Ibraye said he could no longer remain on what he described as a “sinking political ship.”

His resignation comes as the ADC continues to position itself as a platform for opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party has attracted several prominent political figures, while disagreements over leadership, party structures and control of its electoral machinery have also generated internal tensions.

Ibraye said he would now consult with his supporters, political associates and political leaders across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State before deciding on his next political direction.

He thanked members and supporters of the ADC with whom he had worked and said his decision to leave the party would not affect his commitment to Rivers State and Nigeria.

Ibraye also reaffirmed his support for accountable, transparent and people-centred leadership, while maintaining that his resignation was a decision reached after careful consideration of developments within the party.