ADC leadership crisis deepens as the Nafiu Bala faction suspends former chairman Ralph Nwosu and 14 others over alleged anti-party activities
The Nafiu Bala faction of the African Democratic Congress on Thursday suspended 15 prominent members of the party, including former National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, deepening the leadership crisis within the opposition party.
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The six-month suspension was announced after a meeting of the faction’s National Working Committee in Abuja.
Those affected include Balarabe Rufai, Ibrahim Mani, Dr Bamidele Ajadi, Dr Chike Okogwu, Anayo Arinze, Kenneth Gbandi, Said Abdullahi, Ms Hauwa Musa, Nkem Ukandu, Peters Oyewole, Dr Peter Edeh, Prince Festus Igbinoba and Razak Eyiwuawi.
In a statement issued after the meeting, factional chairman Nafiu Bala accused the suspended members of engaging in activities capable of undermining party cohesion and stability.
He alleged that some members had collaborated with external coalition interests, causing disaffection within the party and disrupting internal processes.
“The NWC has observed that some party members have engaged in anti-party activities with coalition members, causing disaffection among party members and disrupting the peaceful coexistence of party faithful,” the statement said, citing provisions of the party constitution to justify the suspensions.
The factional leadership also disowned congresses allegedly being organised across several states, declaring any ward, local government, or state congresses conducted without its authorisation null and void. Party members and the public were urged to disregard the outcomes of such exercises.
Beyond the suspensions, the meeting approved a series of new appointments aimed at strengthening party administration.
Kogi State federal lawmaker Leke Abejide was appointed Chairman of the Board of Patrons, while other appointments included Bala Sani as Chief of Staff to the National Chairman and Abimiku Monday as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication.
The NWC also constituted a four-member committee to conduct the Osun State governorship primary election, with Dr Rufus Ikanmi named chairman. All appointees were directed to assume duties immediately, according to the statement.
The latest decisions have intensified the ADC leadership crisis, coming barely two weeks after a rival faction led by former Senate President David Mark ratified the expulsion of Abejide.
That faction had also written to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, requesting that the lawmaker’s seat be declared vacant.
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The parallel decisions by rival leaderships underscore the deepening factional struggle within the ADC, raising fresh questions over authority, legitimacy, and the party’s preparedness ahead of future elections.
