Leadership crisis has continued to rock the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with Alhaji Nafi’u Bala, a former governorship candidate of the party in Gombe State and ex-national deputy chairman, reaffirming his position as the legitimate acting national chairman of the party.
Nafi’u Bala spoke at a press conference in Bauchi today at the end of the meeting of North East officials of the party.
He accused the David Mark leadership as a faction illegally trying to hijack the party and violating its constitution
He said they are outsiders that are yet to register in the party, describing it as a “shameful political takeover orchestrated by outsiders.”
Bala said “Our door is open to whoever wants to join the party, they should come and join and follow all the rules and regulations of the party.
“We wish to draw the attention of all members of our great party and Nigerians at large, to the ongoing acts of political hooliganism being perpetrated by some individuals who were hitherto entrusted with the leadership of the party.”
He alleged that the party’s structures have been unlawfully surrendered to political figures with no ties to the ADC, warning that such actions undermine internal democracy.
Bala’s declaration followed the July 2 announcement by Ralph Nwosu, the party’s founder and former national chairman, who dissolved the national working committee (NWC) and endorsed an interim leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark.
Several opposition leaders—including Atiku Abubakar, Uche Secondus, Aminu Tambuwal, Peter Obi, Nasir el-Rufai, and others— had adopted the ADC as the coalition platform for the 2027 general elections.
Bala described the move as a “political drama” and a betrayal of party principles.
He said legitimate members of the ADC were sidelined in favor of “political strangers, who are yet to register with the party”
He said going by the constitution of the party only elected officials have the authority to manage party structures.
“I was elected as the National Vice Chairman of the party last three years during the last party convention,and according to the party constitution. Before you will be appointed to hold any position, you must stay in the party for at least one year, paying your dues and attending all activities of the party.
“In the history of democracy all over the world, no party leader or group of leaders has the power to arbitrarily transfer elected mandates or political authority to non-members,” Bala said.
He stated that the ADC constitution provides clear succession procedures and that, based on those guidelines, he is the legitimate actinɠ national chairman of the party.
Nafiu Bala dismissed the allegations that he was suspended from the party, insisting it’s not true. ‘Even the ward chairman of the party said it’s not true, we held a meeting with them; we are to continue with our work to strengthen the party more.
Ealier North East leadership of the party has endorsed Nafiu Bala as the legitimate acting National President of the ADC.
The North East Publicity Secretary of the party Honourable Zayyad Usman said this in Bauchi today at the of North East Stake holders of the Party meeting.
Zayyad appealed to David Mark and all coalition members to register with the party’s legitimate leaders and follow due process in the interest of democracy and Nation building.
