‘I was tricked,’ ADC’s Bala says he never backed David Mark’s party takeover
ADC Leadership Dispute Intensifies Amid Allegations of Deception
Nafiu Bala, the acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused party officials of misleading him regarding a recent leadership transition. Bala made these claims during an interview with Africa Independent Television on Monday, in response to reports connecting him to the installation of former Senate President David Mark as the party’s interim national chairman.
Bala stated that he attended the July 2025 event under the premise that it was solely for the adoption of new coalition members, led by former chairman Ralph Nwosu. However, he later learned that the event was, in fact, a leadership handover.
“I was tricked into attending the handing-over ceremony for David Mark. Ralph told me it was just the adoption of new members for the coalition movement,” Bala explained. He described his shock upon witnessing Nwosu’s resignation announcement and the immediate appointment of Mark and other officials.
As the party’s deputy national chairman at the time, Bala asserted he had no prior knowledge of the leadership transition and did not provide his consent. Following discussions with members of both the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee, he submitted his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as acting National Chairman.
Bala reported that INEC informed him that he had resigned from his position as deputy national chairman, an assertion he characterized as part of the alleged deception.
“After one week, we began organizing meetings. The remaining NWC and NEC members were consulting across the country before taking any action,” he said. He later confirmed that, following consultations, he formally notified INEC of his resumption as the authentic acting National Chairman.
The ADC faces increasing internal strife as factions aligned with Mark, Gombe, and former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu contend for control of the party. The Supreme Court has scheduled an April 22 hearing regarding an appeal linked to this leadership crisis initiated by Mark.
This ongoing controversy could have significant implications for the party as it approaches the 2027 general elections.
