ADC Leadership Crisis Escalates as Bala Petitions INEC to Remove Mark, Aregbesola
The internal leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified significantly, with rival factions escalating their dispute to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a bold move, the Nafiu Bala-led camp has formally petitioned INEC to remove former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister Rauf Aregbesola from their positions as National Chairman and Secretary of the party, respectively.
Legal Battles and Court Rulings
This latest development follows a decisive ruling by the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, which struck out an appeal filed by David Mark. The appeal, registered as CA/ABJ/145/2026, was dismissed after the court described it as procedurally incompetent. Presiding Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam noted that the appeal was filed against an interlocutory decision without obtaining the required leave of court, rendering it invalid.
The appellate court further ordered all parties involved to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja. This ruling stems from an earlier case initiated by Nafiu Bala, challenging the ADC's leadership structure and seeking to compel INEC to withdraw recognition of Mark and Aregbesola.
Background of the Dispute
Nafiu Bala, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, has consistently maintained that he is the rightful national chairman of the party. He argues that he should have succeeded former chairman Ralph Nwosu following Nwosu's resignation, a claim that has been at the heart of the ongoing leadership tussle.
The legal journey began when Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed an ex parte motion filed by Bala on September 4, 2025. While dismissing the motion, the court directed both Mark and Aregbesola to show cause why the relief sought by Bala should not be granted, effectively putting them on notice to respond to the allegations.
Dissatisfied with this development, David Mark filed a notice of appeal on September 18, 2025, challenging the ruling on several grounds, including alleged lack of jurisdiction. However, this appeal has now been struck out by the Court of Appeal, paving the way for Bala's renewed push for recognition.
Political Reactions and External Commentary
Amidst the escalating crisis, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has criticized the ADC for what he termed "wild claims" instead of focusing on resolving its internal disputes. Basiru specifically addressed allegations that the Presidency and the APC were pressuring INEC to deregister the ADC, describing such claims as irresponsible.
"The Presidency and the APC are not parties to the suit in court," Basiru emphasized. "It was David Mark who approached the Court of Appeal, and the court ruled that the status quo ante bellum should be maintained. One would expect any law-abiding organization to respect the order of the court."
Current Status and Future Implications
In the wake of the Court of Appeal ruling, Nafiu Bala has reportedly approached INEC, seeking official recognition as the National Chairman of the ADC. This move represents a significant escalation in the party's internal crisis, potentially affecting its organizational structure and political standing ahead of future elections.
The ongoing litigation and leadership dispute highlight deeper divisions within the ADC, raising questions about party discipline, internal democracy, and the mechanisms for resolving leadership conflicts in Nigerian political parties. As the substantive suit remains pending before the Federal High Court, all eyes will be on how INEC responds to Bala's petition and whether the party can find a resolution to its deepening crisis.
