Nafi’u Bala, a former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe State, has declared himself as the interim national chairman of the party, rejecting the authority of the David Mark-led faction.
At a press conference held Wednesday night in Abuja, Bala accused the current leadership of hijacking the party and breaching its constitution.
“We are all living witnesses to the show of shame and acts of lawlessness by these unscrupulous leaders who plunged our party into a needless crisis,” Bala said.
He called the developments “political hooliganism” and vowed to challenge the takeover in court.
Opposition alliance splits ADC down the middle
The crisis in the ADC followed the party’s recent adoption by a coalition of opposition politicians as their platform for the 2027 elections.
The coalition includes political heavyweights such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai.
Also part of the alliance are Uche Secondus, Aminu Tambuwal, Liyel Imoke, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, and Solomon Dalung, among others.
The move has not gone unchallenged. A faction within the party and several leaders, including Bala and Dumebi Kachikwu — ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate — have raised objections, insisting the party was not created as a “private coalition platform” for the political elite.
Ralph Nwosu’s role in leadership change questioned
The crisis intensified after Ralph Nwosu, ADC’s founder and former national chairman, announced the resignation of the National Working Committee (NWC) on July 2, and backed an interim leadership led by David Mark.
Days later, Nwosu claimed he had been offered three ministerial appointments in exchange for dropping the coalition idea — a revelation that further unsettled the party’s internal dynamics.
“We’ll go to court,” Bala insists
Bala said true members of the ADC would not allow what he described as “capitulation without precedent” in the party’s democratic journey.
“We are strongly resolved to challenge this affront and ensure the party’s rules are respected,” he said.
“If these individuals refuse to reverse their actions, we shall proceed with gusto to the courts and bring them to justice.”
He argued that only elected officers of the party have the constitutional authority to make leadership decisions, not “outsiders who never belonged or contested for office.”
INEC urged to recognise Bala as chairman
Citing the ADC constitution, Bala said he had legally assumed the role of interim national chairman and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally recognise him.
He maintained that the party’s internal guidelines clearly stipulate the procedures for succession and filling of leadership vacancies.
“This is not just about me. It’s about defending our party’s integrity and the rights of thousands of members across the country,” Bala concluded.
