Mark Vs Bala: How Court Order, INEC Recognition Deepen ADC Leadership Battle

The leadership battle rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a dramatic turn, with rival factions laying claims to the party’s top positions and the courts now stepping in.

The tussle is between former Senate President David Mark, recognised by the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, the Deputy National Chairman who has declared himself the rightful successor.

Mark Recognized, Bala Kicks Back

Following the resignation of former Chairman Ralph Nwosu, the ADC appointed David Mark as Interim National Chairman, with former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary.

David Mark, a former Senate President and one of PDP’s founding member, ended his 27-year membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July 2025, citing irreconcilable divisions and persistent leadership crises.

At the ADC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on July 30, the party ratified Mark’s appointment as Interim National Chairman, Aregbesola as National Secretary, and Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary.

The NEC also dissolved the existing National Working Committee (NWC) and inaugurated a caretaker committee.

At the NEC meeting, Nwosu, the former chairman alleged that ‘some people’ offered him three ministerial appointments to abandon the idea of transforming ADC into a coalition opposition party.

Despite the APC denying his allegation, daring him to name the person who offered him the ministerial slot, the arrival of the self proclaimed factional chairman, Nafiu Bala tells a different story.

This is not the first time key opposition parties are faced with leadership tussle. The PDP and the Labour Party have also faced their own share of the bargain with Atiku Abubakar and the ADC accusing the ruling party of silencing opposition parties and compromising the principles of democracy.

Two months after a coalition of opposition parties adopted the platform and assumed control of its structures, the party subsequently completed its documentation with INEC, which formally recognised the new leadership.

A review of INEC’s official website on Wednesday revealed that the commission had updated the ADC leadership list, naming Senator David Mark as National Chairman, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmad as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Prof. Oserhiemen Aigberaodion Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.

But this recognition has not gone down well with Nafiu Bala, who earlier announced his resumption office as National Chairman. Bala insists that both the Electoral Act and the ADC constitution position him as Deputy National Chairman, as the natural successor to Nwosu.

Bala accused the opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai, and other political heavyweights of hijacking the party ahead of 2027, after initially adopting the African Democratic Alliance (ADA) before settling for the ADC as their platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

“As far as our party is concerned, the constitution is clear. When the National Chairman resigns, the Deputy National Chairman can take over. That is the law, and that is my position,” Bala said while briefing Journalist after announcing himself as the party chairman.

The party, however, dismissed Bala’s claim as baseless. Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, maintained that David Mark remains the only recognized leader.

ADC Dares Aggrieved Members

After the ADC announced completion of its documentation that identifies only David Mark as the party’s national chairman, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, dared members dissatisfied with the party’s leadership under the former Senate President, to seek redress in court.

Abdullahi, who gave the advice during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme said the confirmation by the electoral body has now empowered the ADC to formally register new members across the country.

“The ADC is not in a leadership tussle with anyone. Whoever is against David Mark’s leadership should seek redress in court,” Abdullahi said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Abdullahi added that with INEC’s recognition, the ADC now has the mandate to commence nationwide membership registration, describing the Mark-led leadership as legitimate and empowered.

Court Steps In

But just as the dust seemed to settle, the crisis took a new twist. An order of restriction emerged.

The order cited by Pinnacle Daily and dated Thursday, September 4, 2025 revealed that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had issued an interim order restraining INEC from recognizing David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as national officers of the ADC.

The order followed an ex-parte motion filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025. Justice Nwite held that INEC must desist from recognizing Mark and Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and Secretary, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.

The court further directed all parties to maintain the status quo until the case is fully heard.

Bala’s Camp Welcomes Court Ruling

Reacting to the order, Bala’s faction hailed the ruling as a vindication of its position. In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Dr Christopher Okechukwu, the group urged the Mark-led leadership to respect the court’s directive.

“The Federal High Court’s order restraining Sen. David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and others from parading themselves as national executive members of the African Democratic Congress has vindicated our stance. We reaffirm our commitment to reclaiming and restoring the party to its authentic glory,” Okechukwu said.

He added that the Bala faction remains open to welcoming Nigerians from all walks of life into the party and would soon roll out membership registration nationwide.

ADC Denies Court Order Against Mark, Aregbesola’s Leadership

ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, again rejected claims that any court order barred David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from serving as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the reports were misleading. He clarified that the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, did not grant the ex-parte application filed by Nafiu Gombe, but instead directed that the matter should proceed through due process.

Abdullahi described the order as “false reports” insisting that both Mark and Aregbesola remain in office as recognized leaders of the party.

A Party at the Crossroads

Once touted as the opposition’s vehicle to unseat President Tinubu in 2027, the ADC has now emerged at the heart of Nigeria’s fiercest political storm. With a court order suspending INEC’s recognition of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s leadership battle persists, an unfinished fight that could reshape the face of opposition politics in the months ahead.

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Rafiyat SADIQ

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Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.