Dr Tonte Ibraye, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Rivers State in the 2023 election, has resigned from the party over its internal leadership crisis and concerns about the process for selecting candidates for the 2027 elections.
Ibraye announced his resignation in a letter dated Thursday and addressed to the ADC Ward Chairman in Degema Ward 16, Bille, Rivers State.
The former governorship candidate said the dispute over the party’s leadership, particularly the disagreement involving the faction led by former Senate President David Mark, had made it difficult for him to continue as a member.
Ibraye said he had remained committed to the ADC’s stated principles of internal democracy, fairness and respect for established party structures. However, he argued that recent developments within the party had weakened those principles.
He also accused some recently joined members of attempting to take control of recognised ADC structures in different parts of the country while legal disputes over the party’s leadership were still ongoing.
According to Ibraye, allowing a leadership whose authority is being contested to oversee the selection of ADC candidates for the 2027 elections could create uncertainty over the validity and stability of the tickets produced through the process.
He warned that candidates who emerge from such a process could face difficulties because of the unresolved dispute over who has the authority to manage the party.
Ibraye further argued that a political organisation could not build a strong future while its internal structure remained unsettled. He described the current situation in the ADC as a major concern for anyone seeking to contest elections under its platform.
The former candidate also criticised the wider opposition movement in Nigeria, claiming that many opposition groups had concentrated mainly on efforts to defeat President Bola Tinubu rather than presenting voters with a clear alternative plan for running the country.
Ibraye said his decision to leave the ADC followed his concerns about the direction of the party and its internal disputes.
Following his resignation, he said he would consult his supporters, political associates and other political leaders across Rivers State’s 23 local government areas before deciding on his next political step.
He thanked members and supporters of the ADC who had worked with him during his time in the party.
Ibraye, however, said leaving the ADC would not affect his commitment to the development of Rivers State and Nigeria. He also maintained that he remained committed to accountable leadership focused on the interests of the people.