Dare Babalola
The leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified, with factional National Chairman Nafiu Bala disowning the emergence of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as interim leaders of the party.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bala acknowledged his presence at a meeting held in July 2025 where the duo was presented as leaders.
However, he insisted that his attendance did not amount to endorsement, arguing that the process leading to their appointments breached the party’s constitution.
The ADC has been embroiled in a protracted leadership tussle since that meeting, with rival factions loyal to Bala and Mark both laying claim to the party’s leadership.
The situation was further complicated after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition from the feuding groups, citing a judgment of the Court of Appeal.
Providing details of the disputed meeting, Bala said it was initially convened to formalise the adoption of the ADC as a platform for a political coalition.
According to him, the process took a different turn when the then National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, stepped down and announced Mark and Aregbesola as acting national chairman and national secretary, respectively.
He argued that the move contravened provisions of the party’s constitution, which, he said, does not empower an outgoing chairman to unilaterally appoint successors without following laid-down procedures.
Bala further noted that there was neither a formal vote nor a consensus among members of the National Working Committee before the announcement, leaving several party officials taken aback.
He also disclosed that the then National Secretary, Sa’id Baba Abdullahi, resigned shortly after the development under unclear circumstances.
The factional chairman stressed that his involvement in earlier coalition discussions between April 2024 and July 2025, as well as his attendance at the unveiling event, should not be interpreted as backing for what he described as unconstitutional actions.
According to Bala, his clarification was prompted by viral videos on social media suggesting that he had endorsed the interim leadership arrangement.
