Dino Melaye has challenged the legal standing of Nafiu Bala Gombe in the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Melaye argued that Gombe lacks the legal right to approach the court or lay claim to the party’s leadership after voluntarily resigning from his position.
According to him, Gombe stepped down as Deputy National Chairman on May 17, 2025, and his resignation was duly accepted by the party. He added that the decision was officially communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which certified the document on October 10, 2025.
Melaye maintained that by virtue of that resignation, Gombe ceased to be a party official and therefore has no locus standi to sue the ADC or claim the position of acting national chairman.
He further noted that even under the party’s constitution, Gombe was not occupying the office of Deputy National Chairman at the time, a position that would ordinarily qualify him to assume leadership in an acting capacity.
“A man who voluntarily resigned and whose resignation was accepted and certified cannot return months later to claim leadership. Having ceased to be an official of the party, he lacks the legal basis to challenge or take over its leadership,” Melaye stated.
