The ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a dramatic turn on Friday as Nafiu Bala Gombe, a factional National Chairman of the party, announced a strict age cap for all aspiring political candidates under his leadership. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Gombe declared that the party would no longer clear individuals above the age of 55 to contest for any political office ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Fresh Blood and New Energy”
Gombe, the 2023 Gombe State governorship candidate who resigned as the party’s National Deputy Chairman in August 2025 to take up his current interim role, grounded the decision in a need for a total generational overhaul of Nigeria’s political class.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a party that belongs to all Nigerians. What we are doing now is to ensure the party moves forward properly,” Gombe stated. “We have decided that we will give the youths a real chance. If you are over 55 years old, you are not going to contest for positions in the ADC under our leadership.”
He argued that “the old ways have not worked well” and emphasized that Nigeria’s future is dependent on the energy and “fresh ideas” of the younger generation.
Legal and Constitutional Hurdles
The declaration comes at a time of extreme volatility for the ADC. While the Nigerian Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act specify minimum ages for various offices (e.g., 35 years for the Presidency and 25 years for the House of Assembly), they do not prescribe a maximum age limit. Political analysts suggest that Gombe’s proposed 55-year cap could face stiff legal challenges if enforced, as it may be viewed as discriminatory or inconsistent with constitutional rights.
Furthermore, the National Assembly has recently debated—but not yet finalized—bills proposing a 60-year maximum age limit for presidential and gubernatorial candidates. Gombe’s 55-year threshold is significantly more restrictive than these legislative proposals.
Implications for the Opposition Coalition
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the broader opposition alliance. The ADC has recently become a focal point for high-profile political figures, including:
- Peter Obi (64 years old)
- Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (69 years old)
- Atiku Abubakar (79 years old)
Under Gombe’s proposed rule, none of these prominent leaders—who were seen leading the “Save Democracy” protests just 48 hours ago—would be eligible to fly the ADC flag in 2027.
A Divided House
Gombe’s authority to implement such a policy remains a subject of intense dispute. The ADC is currently split into at least three competing factions:
- The David Mark Faction: An interim leadership group led by the former Senate President, which recently saw its recognition temporarily withdrawn by INEC following an appeal court ruling.
- The Nafiu Bala Gombe Faction: Claiming to represent the “restructured” wing of the party.
- The Don Norman Obinna Group: Led by the Abia State ADC Chairman, this faction rejects both Mark and Gombe, calling them “hijackers” of the party structure.
As of Friday afternoon, neither the INEC-recognized National Publicity Secretary nor the group led by former chairman Ralph Nwosu has issued a formal response to the age-limit proposal. However, the youth wing of the party has reportedly welcomed Gombe’s stance, viewing it as a long-awaited realization of the “Not Too Young to Run” movement’s ultimate goal.
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