The factional Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has confirmed his presence at the party’s July 2025 unveiling of an interim leadership led by former Senate President David Mark, but insisted that no formal agreement or consensus was reached on the leadership structure.
His clarification follows viral videos showing him at the event alongside key political figures, including Kenneth Okonkwo and other coalition stakeholders at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Ongoing ADC Leadership Crisis
The ADC has been embroiled in internal disputes since July 2025, when a coalition move led to the emergence of a faction led by former Senate President David Mark, triggering a leadership crisis that later escalated into legal battles.
The crisis deepened after INEC withdrew recognition from both factions, citing a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12.
‘Event Was Not for Leadership Unveiling’
In a statement on Tuesday, Bala said the meeting was initially convened to adopt the ADC as a unified platform for coalition partners, not to unveil new party leaders.
He explained that the situation changed when the then National Chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, unexpectedly announced his resignation and proceeded to declare David Mark as Acting National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as Acting National Secretary.
Allegation of Constitutional Breach
According to Bala, the development violated provisions of the ADC Constitution, which he said does not empower an outgoing chairman to appoint successors.
“I was present at the meeting and can confirm that the gathering was not intended for the unveiling of Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders,” he said.
No Consensus on Appointments
Bala maintained that there was no formal vote or consensus on the appointments, adding that several National Working Committee members were caught off guard by the announcement.
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“There was no formal vote or consensus on the appointments, and several National Working Committee members, including myself, were taken aback by the development,” he stated.
Clarification on Political Position
He further explained that neither the outgoing chairman nor the national secretary briefed NWC members prior to the announcement, noting that some officials later resigned following the controversy.
Bala said his attendance and earlier participation in coalition engagements should not be interpreted as endorsement of what he described as irregular appointments.
Statement on Public Misinterpretation
He added that the clarification was necessary to correct public misunderstanding arising from viral videos of the event.
At the event, Lauretta Onochie, former presidential aide, introduced Nafiu Bala as the ADC deputy national chairman (intergovernmental affairs).
She co-moderated the programme alongside former Kogi senator Dino Melaye.
Bala briefly stood in acknowledgement following his introduction.
Ralph Nwosu, founder and former national chairman of the ADC, told the gathering that the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) had resigned to allow David Mark to emerge as interim national chairman.
Bala Declares Himself ADC National Chairman
On July 30, 2025, less than a month after the unveiling, Bala declared himself the national chairman of the ADC at a press conference in Abuja.
He accused the Mark-led leadership of unlawfully taking over the party and violating its constitution.
Bala denied resigning as deputy national chairman, insisting that “bonafide” members of the party would challenge the alleged takeover in court.
He also dismissed a purported resignation letter as “false, deceptive, malicious and fake.”
Legal Battle Over Party Control
On September 2, 2025, Bala filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja (FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025), seeking to stop the Mark-led executives from parading themselves as party leaders.
He also asked the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising them and to compel recognition of him as acting national chairman.
The motion ex parte was heard on September 4, 2025, after which Justice Emeka Nwite directed that all respondents, including INEC, be put on notice to show cause why the application should not be granted.
Dissatisfied with the interim proceedings, David Mark filed an appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
However, on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed Mark’s appeal in its entirety, ruling it incompetent and unmeritorious.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, held that there was no substantive ruling on the ex parte application, noting that the trial court only ordered parties to be put on notice.
The appellate court also directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum and avoid actions that could affect the ongoing proceedings.
INEC’s Position on ADC Crisis
Following the judgment, INEC announced that it would no longer recognise either of the ADC factions led by David Mark or Nafiu Bala.
The commission said it would strictly comply with the Court of Appeal’s decision in managing the ongoing leadership dispute and would not attend meetings, congresses, or conventions of either faction until the Federal High Court delivers a final ruling.
However, the Mark-led faction rejected INEC’s position, accusing the commission of acting under external influence.
On Monday, the faction described its derecognition as a “plot” to prevent the ADC from participating in the 2027 general elections.
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.
