ADC Nafiu Bala leadership dispute deepens as factional chairman claims he was misled into attending an event that triggered party leadership change
Factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has alleged that he was misled into attending a party event that later resulted in a controversial leadership change within the opposition party.
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Nafiu Bala said he was invited under the impression that the July 2025 gathering was intended to formally welcome new coalition members into the ADC, led at the time by former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Nafiu Bala and ADC leadership crisis escalated after Bala claimed the meeting unexpectedly transformed into a leadership transition ceremony.
According to him, the event ultimately saw the emergence of former Senate President David Mark as interim National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
“I was lured into attending what became the handover ceremony to David Mark. Ralph had told me it was only about admitting new members into the coalition,” Bala said.
“But that same day, Nwosu stepped down and immediately announced David Mark along with other members of the executive,” he added.
Bala, who served as Deputy National Chairman at the time, said he only realised the full nature of the proceedings after the event had already commenced, insisting he had no prior knowledge of any leadership change.
He further stated that he did not consent to the process and later began consultations with other party stakeholders before escalating the matter.
Bala explained that he eventually notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claiming authority as acting National Chairman, following internal discussions with remaining members of the party’s National Working Committee.
He also alleged that INEC later informed him he had resigned from his position as Deputy National Chairman, a claim he strongly denied.
“Within a week, we began holding meetings. The remaining members of the NWC and NEC consulted widely across the country before making any move,” he said.
“After these consultations, I wrote to INEC… declaring that I had assumed office as the legitimate acting National Chairman of the party. Following that process, we proceeded to court,” Bala added.
Also read: ADC Denies Political Merger Talks Amid Tension
The ADC has continued to face internal leadership tensions, with rival factions laying competing claims to control of the party structure.
