2027: Any Candidate Beyond Mid-50s Won’t Contest On ADC Platform, Says Factional Chair Nafiu Bala

Eembattled self-acclaimex national chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has declared that the party will not field any candidate for elective office above the age of 55 in the 2027 general election.

Bala made the disclosure during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, stressing that the decision was aimed at creating space for younger Nigerians to take up leadership roles.

“All the new illegal members are 88, 75, 90 of age. They should allow us youths to step in and lead. My focus is to ensure that anyone over the age of 55 will not be a candidate of the ADC. It is high time the youths are given a chance,” he said.

The ADC has been enmeshed in a leadership dispute, with factions laying claim to the party’s national leadership, a situation that has further deepened internal divisions following de-recognition of neither faction by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Reacting to allegations that he was being used by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the opposition party aheal 2027 electionz, Bala dismissed the claims as unfounded.

“These people, judging by their history in their former political parties, are used to causing conflicts and strife. They are trying to do the same thing in the ADC,” he stated.

On his absence at a reconciliation meeting reportedly convened by former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Bala said he had more pressing commitments to attend to and questioned the propriety of the invitation.

“We are planning for the 2027 elections and have a lot of engagements. I am not someone who has free time to attend any meeting called in someone’s parlour. Besides, he is not a legitimate member of our party, so, I cannot go to his house to discuss ADC matters,” he said.

Bala insisted that resolving the party’s crisis lies in adherence to the party’a constitution, urging new entrants to follow due process.

“The only way forward is for these illegitimate newcomers to go back, study our constitution and follow the proper process of joining the party,” he added.

He also called on aggrieved members to accept his leadership, despite concerns over his age.

“They have made digs about my age previously. Babachir (Lawal) even said they won’t follow me because I am young and not from an influential home,” Bala revealed.

“I call on those who think they cannot follow my leadership because I am young and not from an influential background to understand that leadership comes from God. They should fall in line, and I will ensure justice is done,” Bala said.