Former Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Bala, has accused the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, of misleading him into attending a ceremony where key leadership changes were unexpectedly announced.
Speaking during an interview on AIT, Bala said he was unaware of plans to install former Senate President, David Mark, and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s chairman and national secretary.
According to him, the event was initially meant to formally present the adoption of ADC by a political coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.
“The day the coalition said that they wanted to adopt ADC as a party, and announced to the world… Ralph Nwosu announced his resignation and announced that David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola had been appointed as the chairman and national secretary of the ADC on the same day. I was surprised because that was not what took me there,” Bala said.
“They only came to introduce themselves and adopt ADC as a party for the 2027 general election.”
Bala explained that he moved quickly after the development, engaging party structures and pursuing legal action to challenge the outcome.
“One week later, I met with the national working committee across the country for consultation before taking action,” he said.
“After the consultation, I wrote to INEC as the deputy national chairman, acting as the chairman of the party. After the consultation, I went to court.”
The crisis has since escalated, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s leadership. Bala also dismissed claims that he had stepped down from his position, alleging that his signature had been forged.
He further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the legitimate national chairman of the party.
On April 14, David Mark faction of the party announced the expulsion of Bala over alleged anti-party activities.
The faction also expelled several members, including Leke Abejide, Kingsley Temitope, Obinna Norman, Kennedy Odiong, and Stella Chukwuma.
The decision followed a motion moved by Binos Yaroe during the party’s national convention held in Abuja. Delegates adopted the motion through a voice vote.
Speaking at the convention, Chinedu Idigo, the party’s organising secretary, accused the affected members of destabilising the party by deepening internal divisions.
“They have sown seeds of discord within the party and sought to create factions, doubts, and confusion across the polity, the public, and regulatory authorities, thereby causing instability within the party.
“They were given time to retrace their actions but failed to do so,” he said.
