Former national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has said Nafiu Bala and all state chairmen of the party were present at the unveiling of the David Mark leadership of the party.
Background to ADC Crisis
The ADC has been embroiled in internal disputes since July 2025, when an opposition coalition assumed control of the party. Both Bala and the Mark-led group have since laid claim to its leadership.
The crisis escalated into legal battles, leading the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of both factions on April 1, following a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12.
Amid the controversy, viral videos surfaced showing Bala at the July 2025 unveiling of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and secretary of the party, respectively.
In response, Bala admitted attending the event but maintained that there was no prior agreement to appoint the leadership, accusing Nwosu of imposing it without consulting the National Working Committee (NWC).
State Chairmen Reject Both Factions
The situation took another turn when the ADC State Chairmen Forum rejected both the Mark and Bala factions.
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Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Don Obinna, Abia State chairman of the party, accused both camps of hijacking the ADC from its original members and backed INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition.
Nwosu Counters Claims of Exclusion
Speaking on Tuesday night during an interview on Arise Television, Nwosu dismissed claims that some stakeholders were sidelined in the process that produced the current leadership.
He said available records and party proceedings show that those now objecting were actively involved in the events leading to the leadership change.
“All the activities we carried out from 2024 to 2025, including when David Mark emerged as chairman, had the participation of all state chairmen,” he said.
According to Nwosu, some aggrieved members had earlier approached INEC to facilitate their return to the party, leading to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process that paved the way for their reintegration.
‘They Were All Present’
He maintained that those now raising concerns were part of the process from the beginning.
“We reabsorbed them, and all the programmes leading to the emergence of David Mark as national chairman involved them,” he said.
Referring to the July 2 event at the Yar’Adua Centre, Nwosu said Bala and other state chairmen were present.
“They were all there, clapping — Nafiu and all the state chairmen. You can check the records,” he added.
Meetings and Representation
Nwosu also said a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, had a clearly defined agenda on leadership selection, which was circulated to INEC and party structures across the states.
He added that multiple meetings were held in the lead-up to the decision, with stakeholders in attendance.
According to him, members of the legacy ADC were fairly represented in the new leadership, with eight out of about 29 positions allocated to them.
He cited examples, including a deputy national chairman and the national treasurer, who are from the old ADC structure.
Reaffirming his position, Nwosu said all relevant stakeholders, including INEC and other agencies, were present throughout the process.
“The truth is that from Bala to all the state chairmen, they were there. The records are there for anyone to verify,” he said.
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.
