The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has confirmed that he attended the July 2025 event where interim leaders of the party were unveiled, but denied endorsing the emergence of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola.
The ADC has faced a prolonged leadership crisis since July 2025 when an opposition coalition took control of the party, with Bala and the Mark-led faction both claiming legitimacy.
The dispute eventually resulted in legal battles, prompting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from the rival factions, citing a March 12 judgement of the Court of Appeal.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 7, Bala clarified that the July 2, 2025, meeting was originally convened to adopt the ADC as a unified political platform for coalition partners, not to unveil new party leaders.
He explained that the situation changed unexpectedly when the then National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, announced his resignation during the meeting.
Bala said Nwosu subsequently issued membership cards to Mark and Aregbesola and declared them Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
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“The appointments were in clear contravention of Articles 8(2) and 9(4) of the ADC Constitution (2022, as amended),” he said, noting that the constitution does not permit an outgoing chairman to appoint successors without due process.
He added that there was no formal vote or consensus among members of the National Working Committee, noting that many party officials were caught off guard by the announcement.
Bala also revealed that the then National Secretary, Sa’id Baba Abdullahi, resigned shortly after the development under circumstances that were not disclosed to party officials.
He maintained that his attendance at the event and earlier engagements with coalition partners between April 2024 and July 2025 should not be interpreted as support for what he described as irregular appointments.
Bala said the clarification became necessary following the circulation of videos on social media claiming his endorsement of the interim leadership.
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