Nafiu Bala, factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has confirmed that he attended the party’s 2025 leadership unveiling but denied endorsing the emergence of the interim leadership led by David Mark.
Bala made the clarification amid ongoing controversy surrounding the leadership crisis within the ADC, which has led to legal disputes and intervention by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The crisis dates back to July 2025, when an opposition coalition assumed control of the party, resulting in a power struggle between Bala’s faction and the group aligned with Mark.
Recent viral videos had shown Bala present at the unveiling ceremony held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, raising questions about his position on the leadership dispute.
However, in a statement, Bala explained that although he attended the meeting, there was no formal agreement or consensus to appoint new party leaders at the event.
According to him, the gathering was originally convened to adopt the ADC as a unified platform for coalition partners, not to announce leadership changes.
He alleged that the former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, acted unilaterally by resigning and announcing Mark as acting national chairman, alongside Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.
Bala described the move as a violation of the party’s constitution, insisting that due process for leadership succession was not followed.
“There was no formal vote or consensus on the appointments, and several members of the National Working Committee were taken by surprise,” he stated.
He further noted that his presence at the event should not be interpreted as support for what he termed “irregular appointments.”
The ADC has since been embroiled in internal conflicts, culminating in a decision by INEC to withdraw recognition of both factions following a court of appeal judgment
The development underscores deepening divisions within the party as political alignments continue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
