Former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State, Tonte Ibraye, has resigned his membership of the party, citing the prolonged leadership crisis and unresolved legal disputes over its internal structures and the conduct of its processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ibraye, who ran for governor in the 2023 election, announced his resignation in a letter dated September 24, 2026, addressed to the ADC Ward Chairman, Degema Ward 16, Bille, Rivers State.
He said he had remained committed to the ADC and its principles of internal democracy, fairness and respect for legitimate party structures, but recent developments within the party had made his continued membership untenable.
According to him, attempts by some new entrants to displace duly constituted party executives across the country had deepened the crisis and raised fundamental questions about the future of the party.
He also expressed concern over the leadership dispute involving the faction led by former Senate President David Mark, particularly its exercise of authority over party structures and electoral processes while related legal matters remained unresolved.
Ibraye warned that the controversy could have serious implications for candidates produced by processes conducted under a disputed party leadership.
“The continued attempt by a disputed leadership to determine ADC candidates for the 2027 elections raises questions about the legitimacy and stability of such candidatures,” he said.
He described the tickets emerging from what he regarded as contested processes as being “on quicksand rather than solid ground.”
The former governorship candidate argued that the credibility of any political organisation depended largely on the strength and legitimacy of its internal structures.
“No political movement can build a credible future while its internal foundation remains subject to fundamental legal and organisational disputes,” he stated.
His resignation comes as the ADC positions itself as a major platform for opposition politicians seeking an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections.
The party has attracted prominent politicians and political figures in recent months as opposition groups explore a broader coalition ahead of the elections. The realignment has, however, also been accompanied by disagreements over party leadership, structures and the control of its electoral machinery.
Ibraye, who contested the 2023 Rivers State governorship election on the ADC platform, said the current crisis had gone beyond ordinary political disagreements and had become a matter of principle.
He further criticised what he described as the opposition’s preoccupation with removing President Bola Tinubu without adequately explaining to Nigerians how it intended to govern differently.
According to him, opposition politics should extend beyond the objective of defeating an incumbent and should be anchored on a clear programme capable of addressing the country’s economic and social challenges.
“I have decided that I can no longer remain on what I consider a sinking political ship,” he said.
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, describing his decision as one taken after careful consideration of the developments within the party.
He stressed that leaving the ADC would not diminish his commitment to Rivers State and Nigeria or his advocacy for accountable, transparent and people-centred leadership.
The former candidate said his resignation took immediate effect.
