The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a fresh twist, as factional chairman, Nafiu Bala, denied reports that he resigned his position as deputy national chairman.
Bala’s reaction follows the recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the party’s leadership dispute.
Addressing the controversy, Bala dismissed a circulating document claiming he resigned on May 17, 2025, insisting it was forged.
“My name is Hon. Nafiu Bala, the ADC acting national chairman. I want to state clearly that the document did not come from me, and the signature on it is not mine,” he said.
He maintained that his emergence as acting national chairman was legitimate, following the resignation of the party’s former leadership under Ralph Nwosu.
According to Bala, the former chairman publicly announced during a party event on July 2, 2025, that he and other members of the National Working Committee were stepping down, paving the way for him and others to manage party affairs pending a national convention.
“According to our party constitution, when there is no leader, the deputy takes over. That is why I have resumed as national chairman,” Bala stated.
He further argued that any genuine resignation from him would have been issued using his official letterhead, stressing that the disputed document lacked such authenticity.
The dispute between Bala and former Senate President, David Mark, remains central to the ADC leadership tussle, which has since escalated into legal battles.
While Mark maintains that Bala had earlier resigned and even transmitted the resignation to INEC, Bala insists otherwise, describing such claims as false and misleading.
The matter is currently before the courts, with Bala having filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking recognition as acting national chairman and asking the court to restrain INEC from recognising Mark’s faction.
Although the case suffered initial setbacks, the Court of Appeal, in a ruling delivered on March 12, 2026, dismissed an appeal filed by Mark, describing it as incompetent and lacking merit.
The lingering legal battle has contributed to INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition of the party’s leadership, further deepening uncertainty within the ADC as it prepares for future political contests.
