ADC leadership crisis deepens as Bala assumes national chairman role
Nafiu Bala
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is embroiled in a deepening leadership crisis as Nafiu Bala, the party’s deputy national chairman, formally assumed the role of national chairman on Wednesday, intensifying a bitter tussle within the party.
Bala’s move followed the resignation of former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu and came amid a contentious power struggle with a faction led by former Senate President David Mark, who was appointed Interim National Chairman by an opposition coalition.
Speaking to journalists at the ADC national secretariat in Abuja, Bala declared himself the “authentic” National Chairman, citing the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
“I have resumed office as the National Chairman of the ADC in line with the party’s constitution, which clearly states that the Deputy National Chairman takes over in the event of the National Chairman’s resignation,” Bala said.
He rejected the appointment of David Mark as Interim National Chairman, describing it as an “unconstitutional attempt to hijack the party.”
The crisis escalated after the ADC was adopted by an opposition coalition, reportedly involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political figures, to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 elections.
Bala accused the coalition of undermining the ADC’s internal democracy. “Atiku Abubakar is not a member of the ADC, and I have never held any discussions with him regarding the party’s affairs,” he stated, dismissing claims of his alleged expulsion by a Gombe State faction as “invalid, unlawful, and illegal.”
The North-East caucus of the ADC, in a statement issued after a stakeholders’ meeting in Bauchi, endorsed Bala’s leadership.
“We fully support Nafiu Bala as the acting national chairman following the voluntary resignation of Ralph Nwosu,” the caucus declared, urging coalition leaders to register as ADC members and respect the party’s constitution.
The caucus, led by zonal chairman Alhaji Usman Buba, described Bala’s leadership as a “constitutional transition” and called for unity to strengthen the party.
However, a rival faction within the ADC, led by Auwal Barde in Gombe State, has rejected Bala’s claims. On August 21, the faction announced Bala’s expulsion alongside three other officials for alleged anti-party activities.
Another group, led by Danladi Ya’u, endorsed David Mark’s leadership, further deepening the divide.
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“Nafiu Bala’s claim to the chairmanship is baseless and not recognized by the party’s legitimate structures,” Ya’u said in a statement on August 25.
Bala’s faction has also denied a purported resignation letter dated May 18, 2025, which claimed he had stepped down.
Dr. Christopher Okechukwu, a key ally, described the letter as “fake and lacking the official ADC insignia.”
He accused Nwosu and external actors of attempting to destabilize the party.
“We have notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Bala’s legitimate leadership, and we will pursue legal action to protect the party’s integrity,” Okechukwu said.
The ADC’s National Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, and 2023 governorship candidates had earlier endorsed Bala as acting national chairman on August 11, citing Article 14.3 of the party’s constitution.
“The ADC remains committed to internal democracy and will not be hijacked by external forces,” Bala said, outlining plans to strengthen party structures and foster partnerships ahead of the 2027 elections.
The leadership tussle has raised concerns about the ADC’s stability as a viable opposition platform.
Political analysts warn that the ongoing crisis could undermine the party’s credibility unless resolved swiftly.
For now, Bala remains defiant, vowing to lead the ADC through the storm.
“I am in control of the party’s structure, and we will not allow political hooliganism to prevail,” he declared.