A leadership crisis is unfolding in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after Nafiu Bala, a politician from Gombe State, declared himself Interim National Chairman of the party on Thursday.
The position is currently held by former Senate President David Mark, who was appointed after ADC was adopted as the opposition coalition’s platform.
Nafiu Bala, who was the ADC governorship candidate in Gombe during the 2023 elections, claims the position based on his role as the elected National Deputy Chairman of the party.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Bala accused some party leaders of abandoning their duties and handing over control to outsiders with no ties to ADC. He described their actions as “political hooliganism” and called for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the leadership change.
Bala said, “We are living witnesses to the lawlessness displayed by these unscrupulous leaders who have plunged our party into crisis. Abdicating constitutional duties to outsiders is condemnable.”
He warned that if the current leaders refuse to respect the party constitution, he would challenge their actions in court.
The constitution of ADC, Bala said, provides clear rules on succession, and he is stepping in to restore order.
He appealed to INEC to urgently take note of the situation and uphold the party’s constitution.
This crisis comes as ADC tries to consolidate its position ahead of the 2027 general elections.