ADC Factional Chair Confirms Attendance at David Mark's Unveiling Event
Nafiu Bala, the factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has publicly confirmed his attendance at the party's July 2025 gathering where an interim leadership led by David Mark was unveiled. However, he has strongly maintained that the process occurred without the proper consent of party members, sparking further controversy within the already divided political organization.
Video Evidence and Internal Disputes
The confirmation comes in response to widely circulated videos showing Bala present at the event, which was held at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja. Since July 2025, the ADC has been mired in intense internal disputes after a coalition took control of the party, with both Bala and the Mark-led group asserting their claims to leadership. This ongoing crisis has escalated into legal battles, leading the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from both factions, citing a March 12 judgment from the Court of Appeal as the basis for its decision.
Bala's Explanation of the Meeting
Bala provided a detailed account of the July 2, 2025 meeting, explaining that it was originally convened to adopt the ADC as a platform for coalition partners, not to unveil new party leaders. "Contrary to expectations, the event took an unexpected turn when Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, the then national chairman, was given the floor to deliver his welcome address," he stated. "In a surprising move, he announced his resignation, issued membership cards to Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, and declared them acting national chairman and national secretary."
Constitutional Violations and Lack of Consensus
Bala argued that these actions directly contravened provisions of the party's constitution, which, according to him, does not grant an outgoing chairman the authority to appoint successors. "There was no formal vote or consensus on the appointments, and several members of the National Working Committee were taken aback by the developments," he emphasized. He further clarified that his presence at the meeting, along with prior engagements with coalition partners, should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the appointments made during the event.
Additional Resignations and Ongoing Crisis
Videos circulating online depict Bala seated alongside other party stakeholders, including Kenneth Okonkwo, during the gathering. Bala also disclosed that the then national secretary, Sa'id Baba Abdullahi, resigned shortly after the announcement, noting that members of the party's leadership were not informed in advance about these changes. The ADC leadership dispute remains unresolved following INEC's decision to withdraw recognition from both factions, leaving the party's future in a state of uncertainty as legal and political challenges continue to unfold.
