The ongoing leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as Nafiu Bala formally assumed office, declaring himself the authentic National Chairman of the party.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Bala insisted that both the Electoral Act and the ADC’s constitution empower him to succeed Ralph Nwosu, who recently stepped down from his position as National Chairman following the adoption of the party by an opposition coalition.
“Our party’s former National Chairman voluntarily resigned his position,” Bala said. “Our constitution is very clear on the transfer of power when the national chairman resigns. The Electoral Act and our constitution provide that the Deputy National Chairman assumes the role in such circumstances.”
Bala, who previously served as Deputy National Chairman, dismissed the appointment of David Mark as interim chairman—an arrangement reportedly backed by prominent coalition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
READ ALSO: ADC coalition will collapse by september – Rep Leke Abejide
He described the move as an attempt to hijack the party through external interference.
“As our party’s National Leadership, we are not aware of any change of leadership,” Bala stated firmly. “I now resume office as the authentic National Chairman of our great party, the African Democratic Congress.”
The power struggle follows months of internal disagreements, sparked by the coalition’s alignment with the ADC. Ralph Nwosu, a founding figure of the party, resigned earlier this year as part of the realignment effort.
Bala’s declaration is expected to further complicate the situation, potentially setting the stage for legal or political battles over the control and direction of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party members and stakeholders are now watching closely to see whether the ADC’s leadership crisis can be resolved internally or if it will escalate into another protracted legal battle in Nigeria’s volatile political landscape.
