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Tag: Nafiu Bala

  • ADC leadership crisis deepens as Bala assumes national chairman role

    ADC leadership crisis deepens as Bala assumes national chairman role

    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. 

    “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. 

    Read Also: I never held meeting with Atiku, he is not ADC member – Nafiu Bala

    “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.

  • I never held meeting with Atiku, he is not ADC member – Nafiu Bala

    I never held meeting with Atiku, he is not ADC member – Nafiu Bala

    Acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has dismissed claims that he held discussions with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the party’s affairs, insisting Atiku is not a member of the ADC.

    Speaking with journalists in Bauchi on Monday, Bala said, “It is not true. Atiku Abubakar is a stakeholder in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), not the ADC. I have no reason to meet him about our party.”

    Bala, who assumed leadership of the ADC after the resignation of Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, described the party as united and functional, saying recent elections were successfully conducted in the North-East zone.

    Read Also: ADC denies claims of SDP merger in Kaduna, slams El-Rufai

    He accused elements from the PDP, APC, LP, and APGA of infiltrating the ADC to destabilize it, alleging that some individuals handpicked by Nwosu were parading themselves as leaders without proper membership.

    “As it stands, I am the authentic Acting National Chairman of the ADC and in control of the party structure at all levels in line with our constitution,” Bala stated.

    He urged those claiming leadership to return to their wards, register properly, and renounce membership of other parties before engaging in ADC affairs.

    Bala also dismissed reports of his expulsion from the ADC in Gombe, saying local stakeholders recently reaffirmed his membership. 

    He further alleged that some of those laying claims to leadership were being sponsored by the APC and the Federal Government to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

    The ADC leader said the party had communicated its leadership changes to INEC and called on members to stay united and vigilant.

  • ADC: I’m authentic National Chairman, Bala insists

    ADC: I’m authentic National Chairman, Bala insists

    • Mustapha reaffirms loyalty to APC

    A former National Deputy Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has declared himself the authentic National Chairman of the party.

    In an exclusive interview with The Nation, Bala dismissed the suggestions that he had formed a faction within the party.

    “I have never had any faction. I am the only National Chairman of the party. Any other group claiming to be party leadership is not legitimate,” he said.

    Bala stressed that the ADC constitution is clear on leadership eligibility.

    He said: “Those claiming leadership (of ADC) are not even registered members of the party.

    “You cannot just appear and take a leadership role. According to the ADC constitution, you must be a member for at least one year before holding such a position, unless granted a waiver by the National Working Committee (NWC).”

    Read Also: ADC appoints Jackie Wayas as deputy national publicity secretary

    Bala insisted that his national chairmanship is backed by both the party’s constitution and the Constitution of Nigeria.

    Reacting to the inauguration of the David Mark-led group, which was attended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he said: “That meeting was illegal. I was the National Chairman at the time and should have presided over it.

    “The constitution states that if the National Chairman resigns, the Deputy National Chairman takes over. On that day, the then-Chairman had resigned, and I assumed office immediately.

    “The meeting led by Nwosu and others was unconstitutional. INEC may have been present, but they were not aware of all the facts, including the resignation letter and my rightful succession. I have never resigned from my position.”

    Also, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has restated his unflinching loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He dissociated himself from any political alliance with opposition parties.

    Reacting to a circulating report linking him to an alleged opposition coalition and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mustapha described the claim as “fake news” and urged the public to disregard it.

    “I am not in any opposition alliance, and I am not in any discussion with those who are involved,” he said in a statement he personally released yesterday.

    The former SGF, who served from 2017 to 2023 under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, recalled his role as Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC in 2013.

    “As the Deputy National Chairman of the ACN, the largest political party with six governors at the time of the merger and the formation of the All Progressives Congress, I can rightly claim that I am one of the founding fathers of the governing party,” he said.

  • ADC: I am the authentic national chairman, Bala insists

    ADC: I am the authentic national chairman, Bala insists

    • …as faction fizzles out, denies pressure, bribery 

    Former National Deputy Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has insisted he remains the legitimate national chairman of the party, describing the David Mark-led National Executive Committee (NEC) as illegal and unconstitutional.

    In an exclusive interview, Bala dismissed claims of forming a faction within the ADC, stating, “I have never had any faction. I am the only national chairman of the party. Any other group claiming to be party leadership is not legitimate.”

    He further argued that the ADC constitution is clear on leadership eligibility, adding that those currently claiming to head the party “are not even registered members.”

    “You cannot just appear and take a leadership role. According to the constitution, you must be a member for at least one year before holding such a position, unless granted a waiver by the National Working Committee.”

    Bala insisted that his position as National Chairman is backed by both the party’s constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Reacting to the inauguration of the David Mark-led group, which was attended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bala said, “That meeting was illegal. I was the National Chairman at the time and should have presided over it. 

    “The constitution states that if the National Chairman resigns, the Deputy National Chairman takes over. On that day, the then-Chairman resigned, and I assumed office immediately. 

    “The meeting led by Nwosu and others was unconstitutional. INEC may have been present, but they were not aware of all the facts, including the resignation letter and my rightful succession. I have never resigned from my position.”

    Read Also: 2027: ADC struggles for presence in Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Delta, others

    Referring to what he described as a fabricated letter of resignation, he accused Nwosu and the David Mark-led group of desperation, alleging they forged his signature as well as those of some state chairmen in connection with a Court of Appeal terms of settlement that purportedly affirmed Nwosu as the party’s National Chairman, among other irregularities.

    Bala said he had already reported the matter to security agencies for further action, while disclosing that he had taken both legal and administrative measures to assert his authority.

    “I went to court before the Nwosu-led meeting and sought an order to stop them. I also wrote officially to INEC, informing them that I had resumed as Acting National Chairman until my tenure ends next year,” he said.

    Bala also dismissed as false the claim that he had aligned with a faction of the party, saying, “I only recognize those elected at our last convention in Zaria. 

    “I am not aware of any agreement with David Mark, Atiku, or others who are not even registered members of ADC. I don’t belong to any faction. I am the official National Chairman of the party in the eyes of our party’s constitution and the Constitution of Nigeria. 

    “Our constitution requires a proper process for membership and leadership eligibility. No one can just walk in and take over.”

    On the alleged amendment of the party constitution in May, Bala said, “I was not aware. You cannot amend our constitution without a properly convened convention and the consent of members. 

    “Any amendment done outside this process is fraudulent and criminal. Some people are treating the party like personal property. They have destroyed their former parties, the PDP and the Labour Party, and they want to destroy the APC, and now they want to destroy ADC too. I will not allow that.”

    Bala also rejected suggestions that he is fighting alone, saying, “I am not alone. Those claiming to be chairmen are fake. I meet regularly with the legitimate state chairmen. Anyone siding with the so-called faction is not a recognized leader. 

    “I have advised David Mark, whom I once respected, to stop this. If he or anyone else wants leadership, they should register, wait for the next convention, and contest properly. That is the democratic way.”

    Looking ahead, Bala vowed to defend the constitution of both the ADC and Nigeria, stressing, “Everyone claiming leadership should go back, register properly, and respect both the party constitution and the Nigerian constitution. 

    “I will not allow anyone, even a chairman, to take over party leadership without due process.”

    Meanwhile, a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned it will reject the party’s coalition arrangement outright if what it describes as hijack techniques and the marginalization of original members continue.

    Speaking ahead of what he described as ‘a way forward meeting’ scheduled for Hadejia in a couple of days, the National Publicity Secretary of a faction of the Party Continental Youth Council (CYC), Dr Musa Isa Matar, said the group has already launched party membership registration, card distribution, and the reception of new members.

    He insisted that recent concessions from the coalition were the only reason they had agreed to step back from earlier agitations.

    “Some people have been saying we were bribed, convinced, or pressured by coalition bigwigs, that is not true. There was no bribery or compulsion, it was more of a persuasion. 

    “Political actors, especially from our various states, engaged us in several activities and assured us that, God willing, there would be a synergy in all party activities going forward.”

    He recalled that at the start of the coalition coming to ADC, a 30–70 power-sharing agreement was reached, giving ADC members 30 percent of positions and the coalition team drawn from other political parties like LP, PDP, and others the remaining 70 percent.

    “Now they have agreed to go on 50–50, especially from the state where I came from. That convinced us to subscribe to their idea so as not to be a source of commotion in the party,” he explained, adding that they were promised appointments within a month or two.

    However, he accused coalition leaders of breaching the earlier agreement by excluding ADC members from key appointments and failing to deliver the promised quota.

    “That led to agitation, it was not self-declared, it was our unanimous opinion,” he said.

    He said that after interventions from political stakeholders in Abuja and Kaduna, the group was offered a new 50–50 power-sharing arrangement, adding that the faction would wait to see whether the agreement is faithfully implemented.

    “If there is fairness and equitable treatment, we will avoid chaos. But if we notice hijacking or injustice, we will revolt again,” he warned.

    According to him, the group’s old ADC structure remains intact, with all members registered and documented.

    “If there is any attempt at hijacking or manipulation, we will reject the coalition outright,” he declared.