The African Democratic Congress, led by David Mark, has expelled its factional chairman, Nafiu Bala, alongside Leke Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, over alleged anti-party activities.
At the party’s convention in Abuja on Tuesday, which attracted more than 3,000 participants and carried the theme “So That Nigeria May Work,” the ADC also confirmed the expulsion of several other members, including Kingsley Temitope, Noman Obinna, Kennedy Odion, Stella Chukwuma, and four others.
Party crisis deepens as factional battle intensifies ahead of 2027 elections
According to the party, those affected were removed over accusations of anti-party behaviour and alleged efforts to create division and destabilise the party’s structure.
The motion seeking their expulsion was presented by Binos Yaroe, who represents Adamawa South Senatorial District, and supported by Abdussamad Dasuki, the member representing Kebbi/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
On April 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the removal of key African Democratic Congress figures, including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, from its official register, explaining that the action followed a court directive to preserve the status quo pending the final ruling of the matter at the trial court.
The party has remained entangled in a prolonged leadership crisis since 2025, after the emergence of a new National Working Committee under Mark’s leadership in July.
The crisis stemmed from disagreements over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, which officially ended in August 2022. While Nwosu was said to be aligned with a 2025 transition arrangement, his deputy, Nafiu Bala, insisted he should step in as acting chairman following Nwosu’s departure.
The dispute later deepened into factional struggles for control of the party, triggering multiple legal battles at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and raising concerns about the party’s preparedness for the 2027 elections. In response, Mark, on April 2, called for the resignation of Amupitan and insisted that the party would continue with its planned activities.
In a related development, a faction supported by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, last week in Abuja announced a caretaker committee during a National Executive Committee meeting convened by some state chairmen.
As a result, the party is now split into three factions: one led by Mark representing the coalition bloc, another led by Bala, and a NEC-backed group aligned with Kachikwu and headed by Kingsley Ogga.
Despite these internal challenges, the Mark-led African Democratic Congress moved ahead with its national convention.
