Nafiu Bala, factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has confirmed his attendance of the party’s unveiling of the interim leadership led by David Mark in July 2025.
BACKGROUND
Since July 2025, when the opposition coalition assumed
leadership of the ADC, the party has been grappling with internal crises, with
Bala and the Mark-led group laying claim to its leadership.
The crisis culminated in protracted legal disputes, which
prompted INEC to de-recognise both factions on Wednesday, citing the March 12
judgment of the court of appeal.
As INEC’s decision continued to generate debate, two viral
videos obtained by TheCable revealed that Bala was present at the ADC unveiling
of the Mark-led leadership in July 2025.
On Saturday, TheCable reported Bala’s attendance of the
event, citing a July 2, 2025 video posted by Symfoni on YouTube.
The newspaper also published another viral video on Monday,
which indicated Bala’s presence at the meeting.
The footage, now circulating on social media, shows Bala
seated in the same row as Kenneth Okonkwo, a former chieftain of the Labour
Party (LP), alongside other party stakeholders at the ceremony held at the
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
TheCable verified the video through multiple party
stakeholders who attended the event.
At the event, Lauretta Onochie, former presidential aide,
introduced Bala as the ADC deputy national chairman (intergovernmental
affairs).
‘NO FORMAL VOTE OR CONSENSUS ON THE APPOINTMENTS’
In a statement on Tuesday, Bala confirmed his attendance but insisted that there was no prior agreement to appoint the Mark-led
leadership at the meeting.
He said the meeting which held on July 2, 2025, was convened
specifically for the adoption of ADC as a unified platform for coalition
partners, not to unveil new party leaders.
“Contrary to expectations, the event took an unexpected turn
when Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, the then National Chairman, was given the floor to
deliver his welcoming address,” Bala said.
“In a shocking move, he announced his resignation as
National Chairman, proceeded to issue a membership card to Sen. David Mark and
Rauf Aregbesola, and declared them Acting National Chairman and National
Secretary, respectively.”
He said Nwosu’s actions “were in clear contravention of
Articles 8(2) and 9(4) of the ADC Constitution (2022, as amended)”.
According to him, the party’s constitution does not empower
an outgoing chairman to appoint a successor.
He said the process for replacing the national chairman is
“explicitly outlined in the constitution, and Nwosu’s actions disregarded this
procedure”.
“I was present at the meeting and can attest that the
gathering was not intended for the unveiling of Mark and Aregbesola as party
leaders,” Bala said.
“My attendance at the meeting and previous engagements with
coalition partners from April 2024 to July 2025 do not imply endorsement of the
irregular appointments.
“There was no formal vote or consensus on the appointments,
and several National Working Committee (NWC) members, including myself, were
taken aback by the developments.”
He added that following Nwosu’s announcement, Sa’id Baba
Abdullahi, the then national secretary of the party resigned, citing unclear
circumstances.
“None of the NWC members were privy to the situation, and
neither Nwosu nor Abdullahi had discussed the matter with us prior to the
meeting,” the ADC factional chair stated.
“I trust this clarification addresses the concerns raised by
the circulating videos of my humble self on social media platforms. I
appreciate the opportunity to provide accurate information and set the record
straight.”
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