ADC Leaders Nwosu and Bala Deny Bribery Allegations in Party Takeover Dispute
In the midst of a deepening crisis within the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), two prominent figures, Chief Ralph Nwosu, the party's pioneer National Chairman, and Nafiu Bala, a factional national chairman, have vehemently denied allegations of accepting bribes to destabilize or sell off the party. The controversy centers on accusations that Nwosu received substantial sums before transferring party control to a National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, while Bala is accused of being sponsored by the ruling party to undermine ADC's momentum.
Nwosu's Defense Against Financial Misconduct Claims
Speaking exclusively to The Guardian, Chief Ralph Nwosu dismissed the bribery insinuations as baseless and politically motivated. He asserted, "This only shows that the incumbent government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his party are desperate, and that is most unfortunate." Nwosu emphasized his long-standing commitment to non-transactional politics, stating he has been involved since before 1999 with a focus on national development rather than financial gain.
He highlighted ADC's core values, noting, "The ADC has a peculiar DNA, and our values and beliefs are impeccable. For anybody to talk about money, that person does not understand ADC, because money has no place in our operations." Nwosu recalled an instance in 2018 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo invited him to use the ADC platform for a coalition led by Donald Duke, underscoring that no money was exchanged despite his full cooperation.
Further defending his integrity, Nwosu pointed to ADC's open support for the Labour Party and Peter Obi in the 2023 elections, despite lucrative offers from other parties. "We did so openly, despite offers of huge sums of money from other parties to endorse them. We were also among the parties that protested the 2023 election results without any financial inducement," he explained, firmly denying any monetary transactions in the party's affairs.
Bala's Constitutional Concerns and Legal Actions
On the other hand, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is at the heart of the current turmoil, refuted claims that his actions are driven by money or personal grievances. He told The Guardian, "I am not driven by personal grievances or agendas. My concern stems from the apparent breach of our party's constitution, specifically Articles 8(2) and 9(4), regarding membership and eligibility to hold party positions."
Bala detailed events from July 2, 2025, when Chief Nwosu announced his resignation at the Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja, issued party membership cards to Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, and appointed them as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary. He argued this process violated ADC's constitutional provisions, raising questions about the eligibility of Mark and his coalition members.
When questioned about his attendance at meetings where these decisions were made, Bala clarified, "I attended several meetings from April 2024 to July 2, 2025 regarding coalition members. These meetings led to the events of July 2, 2025, which I believe were not in line with our party's rules." He added that he has no knowledge of any financial exchanges, focusing solely on the procedural irregularities.
Legal Proceedings and INEC Involvement
The ADC is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking a court order to restore its status on the commission's official portal. INEC had removed the leadership led by Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, citing an Appeal Court directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
Bala explained the timing of the legal challenge, noting that while they intended to file in July 2025, Federal High Court judges were on annual vacation, leading to a suit filed on September 2, 2025. The matter was first heard on September 4, 2025, with the trial judge ordering Mark and others to show cause why an injunction should not be granted.
In terms of reliefs sought, Bala stated, "We prayed for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, and their associates, from parading themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC or interfering in the party's affairs pending the determination of the suit." Additionally, they sought to restrain INEC from recognizing them in those capacities until the motion is heard.
This unfolding crisis highlights internal divisions within the ADC, with both Nwosu and Bala maintaining their innocence amid allegations of financial misconduct, as the party navigates complex legal and constitutional challenges.
