A significant internal crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a bold move by Nafi’u Bala, a former governorship candidate from Gombe and one-time national deputy chairman of the party. On Wednesday night in Abuja, Bala proclaimed himself the national chairman of the ADC, directly challenging the leadership of the party under former Senate President David Mark.
At a press conference, Bala accused the currently recognized leadership, led by Mark, of unlawfully seizing control of the party and violating the party’s constitution. He described the situation as “acts of political hooliganism” perpetrated by individuals previously entrusted with the party’s leadership. Bala lamented the crisis and the uncertainty spawned by what he labeled “lawlessness” and a “show of shame” within the party.
He criticized the transfer of party authority to a coalition of outsiders, whom he claimed were never legitimate members, calling such a move “condemnable” and unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history. Bala stated, “The idea of mortgaging the future of our great party, by abdicating the constitutional duties and responsibilities of all elected officers of the party, to some powerful outsiders who never belong to the party, is condemnable.”
The background to the crisis is tied to last month’s decision by opposition politicians and some ADC leaders to adopt the party as a coalition platform for the 2027 general elections. This alliance comprises prominent figures such as ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former PDP Chairman Uche Secondus, Babangida Aliyu, Sam Egwu, Aminu Tambuwal, Liyel Imoke, Nasir el-Rufai, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and others, including David Mark himself who was endorsed as interim party chairman by the party’s founder, Ralph Nwosu.
Following Nwosu’s July 2 announcement resigning the national working committee (NWC) and endorsing the interim leadership under Mark, the crisis intensified. On July 29, Nwosu revealed he had been offered three ministerial positions to abandon plans to transform the ADC into an opposition coalition platform, suggesting external pressures on the party’s direction.
Bala and a faction of party loyalists opposed this coalition adoption, arguing that the ADC should not be “commandeered” as a private platform for a select group of political elites. Even Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, has criticised the takeover.
In firm terms, Bala declared that “bonafide” party members will legally challenge the takeover. He warned that should the current leadership refuse to adhere to the party’s constitutional provisions, the faction will seek justice through the courts. He explained: “We are therefore strongly resolved and collectively determined to challenge this affront and ensure that the party’s laid down rules and stipulated provisions are respected and strictly adhered to by all those who belong to it.”
Highlighting the constitutional framework, Bala noted that the ADC’s rules clearly outline procedures for succession and filling vacancies. Acting on these provisions, he has assumed the role of interim national chairman and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently recognize him as the legitimate party head.
Bala concluded by affirming his commitment to safeguarding the party’s democratic integrity. “In the history of democracy all over the world, no party leader or any group of leaders have the power to arbitrarily transfer elected mandate or political authority to non-members who never belonged or contested for political office.”
The ADC’s unfolding crisis reflects deeper fissures within Nigeria’s opposition politics as alliances shift in preparation for the 2027 elections, with Bala’s declaration signaling a protracted legal and political battle ahead.