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Former African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Tonte Ibraye, has resigned from the party, citing its prolonged leadership crisis and concerns over the legitimacy of its internal processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ibraye, who contested the Rivers governorship election on the ADC platform in 2023, announced his resignation in a letter dated September 24, 2026, addressed to the party’s Ward Chairman in 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 argued that recent developments had made his continued membership untenable.
Ibraye raised concerns over what he described as attempts by some new entrants into the ADC to displace existing party executives across the country. He also questioned the authority exercised by the faction led by former Senate President David Mark while legal disputes surrounding the party’s leadership remain unresolved.
According to the former governorship candidate, allowing a disputed leadership to oversee the selection of candidates for the 2027 elections could create questions about the legitimacy and stability of the resulting tickets.
Ibraye also criticised what he described as the broader opposition’s excessive focus on removing President Bola Tinubu from office without sufficiently explaining to Nigerians what alternative governance programme it would implement.
He argued that opposition politics should go beyond defeating an incumbent and should present voters with clear proposals for addressing Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.
Declaring that he could no longer remain on what he described as a “sinking political ship,” Ibraye said his resignation from the ADC takes immediate effect.
He has not announced his next political party. Instead, he said he would begin consultations with supporters, political associates and leaders across Rivers State’s 23 local government areas before determining his next political direction.
The resignation comes as the ADC faces internal leadership disputes while preparing for the 2027 general elections, adding another development to the continuing political realignments within Nigeria’s opposition.
