Tonte Ibraye quits ADC over its leadership crisis, warning that 2027 election tickets emerging from disputed processes could face legitimacy questions
Former African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Tonte Ibraye, resigned from the party on Thursday, September 24, 2026, citing its prolonged leadership crisis and concerns about the legitimacy of its preparations for the 2027 elections.
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Ibraye communicated his decision in a resignation letter addressed to the ADC Ward Chairman in Degema Ward 16, Bille, Rivers State. He said his resignation took immediate effect.
The former candidate said he had remained committed to the ADC and its stated principles of internal democracy, fairness and respect for legitimate party structures.
However, he argued that recent developments had made continued membership difficult.
A major concern raised by Ibraye was the continuing dispute over the party’s leadership, including the faction led by former Senate President David Mark.
He questioned the exercise of authority over party structures and electoral processes while related legal disputes remained unresolved.
Ibraye also accused some newly admitted members of attempting to displace established party executives across the country.
He said the development had created uncertainty over the party’s organisational structure and its ability to conduct credible internal processes.
Of particular concern to him was the prospect of the disputed leadership overseeing the selection of candidates for the 2027 elections.
“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,” Ibraye said. Punch Newspapers
He described tickets produced through such processes as being “on quicksand rather than solid ground”, arguing that a political organisation could not convincingly present itself as a credible alternative while its internal structures remained affected by legal and organisational disputes.
Ibraye’s departure comes as the ADC has attracted politicians and political figures looking to build a broader opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s expansion has also brought renewed attention to disagreements over its leadership, structures and control of its electoral machinery.
The former Rivers candidate also criticised what he described as the opposition’s focus on removing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu without sufficiently explaining how it would govern differently.
According to Ibraye, opposition politics should extend beyond defeating an incumbent and should offer Nigerians a clear programme for addressing economic and social challenges.
“I have therefore decided that I can no longer remain on what I consider a sinking political ship,” he said.
Ibraye is not new to electoral politics in Rivers State. He contested the 2023 governorship election on the ADC platform, with actress Tonto Dikeh as his running mate.
However, shortly before the March 2023 election, the ADC withdrew from the governorship race and adopted the candidacy of APC’s Tonye Cole.
His latest resignation therefore marks another significant change in his political journey and comes as parties and political groups begin positioning themselves for the 2027 contests.
Ibraye said he would now consult his supporters, political associates and political leaders across Rivers State’s 23 local government areas before deciding on his next political move.
He thanked ADC members and supporters who had worked with him, while stressing that leaving the party would not affect his commitment to Rivers State and Nigeria.
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He also reaffirmed his support for accountable, transparent and people-centred leadership as he considers his next political direction.
