A fresh drama erupted in the coalition opposition platform, African Democratic Congress (ADC), yesterday as the party dismissed the claim of Hon. Nafiu Bala to the party’s national chairmanship.
The ADC national publicity secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, substantiated the dismissal of the claim with the release of Bala’s resignation letter as deputy national chairman on May 17, 2025, where he said he resigned his position for smooth and effective coalition and restructuring.
According to the resignation letter, addressed to the party’s national chairman in Abuja at No.4 Oyo Street, Area II, Garki, Abuja, his departure took effect on May 26, 2025.
However, Bala, a former deputy national chairman of ADC, declared himself the party’s interim national chairman yesterday.
He declared that he assumed the position because of an internal leadership crisis allegedly orchestrated by what he described as “political hooligans.”
At a press briefing in Abuja, Bala accused some former party leaders of abandoning their constitutional duties and ceding control of the party to “powerful outsiders” with no ties to the ADC.
Bala’s claim to the chairmanship position comes barely 48 hours after the pioneer national chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, and his team formally handed over the party leadership to Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary, respectively, at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
Nwosu, at the gathering, claimed attempts were made to thwart the party’s alignment with the opposition coalition leaders by offering financial inducements and promising ministerial appointments, a claim denied by the Presidency.
Meanwhile, Dumebi Kachikwu, former presidential candidate of the ADC, has repeatedly opposed the coalition leaders’ takeover of the ADC.
This comes as three dissatisfied members of the ADC have reportedly filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking Mark’s removal as the party’s interim leader.
However, ADC state chairmen on July 11 declared support for David Mark’s leadership after an Abuja meeting.
After the meeting, Hon. Kingsley Ogga, chairman of the ADC Forum of State Chairmen and the Kogi State party chairman, dismissed claims of divisions within the ADC, especially among the state chapters.
While noting that it is standing on firm legal footing, the ADC has announced that at least 97 lawyers are ready to represent the party in an ongoing court case.
Release Resignation Letter
Bala’s resignation letter, as released by the ADC spokesman, was titled, “Letter of resignation as deputy national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)”
The letter read, “I, Nafiu Bala, do hereby write to notify you of my resignation as a member of the National Working Committee of our great party, the African Democratic Congress, effective 26 May 2025.
“My resignation is to make way for smooth and effective coalition and restructuring. My resignation does not mean I am abandoning the party, so I would be ready to serve in any other capacity I may be called upon.
“While I thank you for the opportunity afforded me to serve our great party, please accept the assurances of my highest regards,” the letter signed by Bala stated.
Why I Am Taking Over Party – Bala
In an earlier press conference in Abuja yesterday, Bala described the situation in ADC as an unprecedented assault on internal democracy. He vowed to resist what he termed a hijack of the party’s leadership.
“I, Honourable Nafiu Bala, a bona fide member and duly elected National Deputy Chairman of our great party, wish to draw the attention of all members and Nigerians to the ongoing acts of political hooliganism being perpetrated by individuals previously entrusted with party leadership,” he said.
According to him, these individuals orchestrated a “shoddily rehearsed political melodrama,” switching elected roles with ‘political strangers” to facilitate the complete takeover of the party’s structures.
“The idea of mortgaging our party’s future by abdicating constitutional responsibilities to non-members is condemnable,” he stated.
Bala warned that legal action would follow if those involved in the alleged takeover failed to reverse course and respect the party’s constitution.
“In case these individuals ignore our calls and persist in their aberrant behaviour, we shall proceed with legal action to challenge this impunity and bring them to justice,” he said.
He stressed that no party leader could arbitrarily transfer an elected mandate or political authority to outsiders.
Reaffirming his commitment to restoring internal democracy, Gombe emphasised that the ADC constitution provides clear guidelines for succession and filling vacant positions.
“In line with my constitutional mandate as the duly elected National Deputy Chairman, I now assume the responsibility of Interim National Chairman,” he declared.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently recognise the development and uphold the integrity of the party’s constitutional order.
Leave Us In Peace, Kano PDP Warns ADC Defector
Meanwhile, the Kano State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told members defecting to the ADC to leave the party in peace.
However, the PDP urged members in the state to register with the party, saying it remains the best option for Kano State and Nigeria.
The state party chairman, Hon. Yusuf Ado, made the call on Thursday during a press briefing on recent party developments.
Ado, a former Kano State commissioner under the Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso-led administration, also distanced the party from breakaway members who joined the ADC.
He noted that the party at the state level remained focused on its objectives and would stay united as one solid base.
He urged the “insignificant defectors not to divide the party” but “to leave in peace.”
He accused those who have left PDP for ADC of being betrayers, having benefited immensely from the party.
“We have completed mobilising and repositioning our party members, ensuring they are actively engaged and aligned with the party’s goals. This effort is crucial for strengthening our grassroots support and operational effectiveness.
“We want to assure the national executive of our absolute loyalty in all matters concerning the conduct of party business. Our commitment to the party remains unwavering, and we stand ready to support the party’s initiatives and directives,” he stated.
On whether the party will support President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections, the party chairman noted that they would not compromise their support for the PDP.
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