ADC Leadership Crisis Escalates with Fresh Allegations of Forgery
In a dramatic development within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, the acting national chairman, has vehemently denied claims that he resigned from his position as deputy national chairman. Bala has asserted that a document purporting to show his resignation on May 17, 2025, is a forgery, adding a new layer of complexity to the ongoing leadership dispute that has embroiled the party.
Bala Dismisses Resignation Claims and Exposes Alleged Forgery
In a video statement published by Rariya Hausa, Bala clarified his stance, stating, "My name is Hon. Nafiu Bala, the ADC acting national chairman. I would like to use this opportunity to address a document currently circulating, which claims that I resigned from my position as national vice chairman on May 17th. I wish to state that this paper did not come from me, and that is not my signature on it. The signature you see there was forged." He emphasized that any legitimate resignation from his office would have been issued on his official letterhead, a detail missing from the contested document.
Bala Assumes Leadership Under Party Constitution
Bala explained that he resumed office as acting national chairman following the resignation of former party leaders, including Ralph Nwosu, on July 2, 2025. According to the ADC constitution, when there is no leader, the deputy takes over, a provision Bala cited to justify his current role. He highlighted that this transition was publicly announced during an event where new members expressed interest in joining the party.
Legal Battle with David Mark Intensifies
The leadership crisis has pitted Bala against former Senate President David Mark, who has argued that Bala resigned on May 17, 2025, and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) duly recorded this resignation. Mark stated, "One of the officials in the dissolved NWC was Nafiu Bala, who was one of the Deputy National Chairmen of the party. It is on record that Gombe resigned this position on 17th May, 2025. His resignation was also duly transmitted to INEC on the 12th of August, 2025."
Court Proceedings and Appeals
In response, Bala filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 2, 2025, seeking to restrain Mark's faction from acting as party leaders and to compel INEC to recognize him as acting national chairman. The court directed that respondents, including INEC, be put on notice. Mark later appealed against the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, but on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, ruling it incompetent and unmeritorious, thereby upholding Bala's authority.
Impact on ADC Recognition and Political Tensions
The dispute has led INEC to withdraw recognition of the Mark-led faction and delist its executives from the commission's portal, escalating political tensions within the ADC. Bala's insistence on the forgery of his resignation document reinforces his position and adds a fresh twist to the conflict, which continues to impact the party's stability and public perception.
APC Criticizes ADC Over Internal Woes
Amid the crisis, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has mocked the ADC, describing it as "an assembly of Nigeria's most confused and desperate politicians" and accusing it of spreading unfounded conspiracy theories. In a statement by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, the party argued that the ADC's internal crisis is self-inflicted and warned against blaming external entities for its problems.
This unfolding saga highlights the deepening divisions within the ADC, with legal and political ramifications that could affect its future operations and electoral prospects. The allegations of forgery and the ongoing court battles underscore the high stakes involved in the party's leadership struggle.
