Rivers Ex-Governorship Candidate Quits ADC, Accuses David Mark Of Controlling Party Structures
Rivers Ex-Governorship Candidate Quits ADC, Accuses David Mark Of Controlling Party Structures
Ibraye announced his resignation in a letter dated September 24, 2026, addressed to the ADC Ward Chairman, Degema Ward 16, Bille, Rivers State.
Former African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Tonte Ibraye, has resigned from the party, warning that candidates emerging from its disputed 2027 electoral processes could face serious questions over their legitimacy.
Ibraye announced his resignation in a letter dated September 24, 2026, addressed to the ADC Ward Chairman, Degema Ward 16, Bille, Rivers State.
He said his decision followed what he described as a worsening leadership crisis within the party, including attempts by some new members to displace existing party executives across the country.
“I write to formally resign my membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with effect from today.
“As a former Governorship Candidate of the ADC in Rivers State, I have remained committed to the growth of the party and the principles of internal democracy, fairness and respect for legitimate party structures. Unfortunately, recent developments within the party have made it difficult for me to continue as a member,” he stated.
Ibraye, who contested the 2023 Rivers State governorship election on the ADC platform, said he had remained committed to the party’s principles of internal democracy, fairness and respect for legitimate party structures.
However, he said recent developments had made it difficult for him to continue as a member.
The former candidate specifically raised concerns over the leadership dispute involving the faction led by former Senate President David Mark, accusing the faction of exercising control over party structures and electoral processes while legal disputes over the leadership remain unresolved.
“I am deeply concerned by the actions of some new members of the party and the continuing attempts to displace legitimate party executives across the country. I am equally concerned about the leadership crisis surrounding the David Mark-led faction and its exercise of powers over party structures and electoral processes despite the ongoing legal disputes.
“In my view, the continued attempt by a disputed leadership to determine the candidates of the ADC for the 2027 elections creates serious questions about the legitimacy and stability of those candidatures.”
He described the political tickets emerging from such processes as being on quicksand rather than solid ground.
“For this reason, I consider the political tickets emerging from these disputed processes as tickets standing on quicksand rather than solid ground. No serious political movement can build a credible future while its own foundation remains the subject of fundamental legal and internal disputes,” he said.
Ibraye also criticised the broader opposition, arguing that its political strategy appeared overly focused on defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu without sufficiently explaining to Nigerians how it intended to govern differently.
“I am also concerned that the opposition appears more focused on replacing President Bola Tinubu than presenting Nigerians with a clear and convincing strategy showing how it intends to govern differently and improve the lives of the people.
He, however, said his departure from the ADC would not end his political activities in Rivers State, disclosing that he would begin consultations with his supporters, political associates and leaders across the state’s 23 local government areas on his next political direction.
“I have therefore decided that I can no longer remain on what I consider a sinking political ship.
“Accordingly, I hereby resign my membership of the African Democratic Congress. I will also commence consultations with my supporters, political associates and leaders across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State on our next political direction.
“Please accept my resignation with immediate effect,” the statement added.
