A major leadership crisis is brewing within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as Nafiu Bala has declared himself the authentic National Chairman of the party. Bala, who was the Deputy National Chairman, officially resumed office on Wednesday, claiming that his emergence is in line with the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Bala explained that following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he is constitutionally empowered to step into the position. He insisted that there was no formal or legitimate process that appointed another person in his place.
“Our party’s former National Chairman voluntarily resigned from his position,” Bala stated. “According to our constitution and the Electoral Act, the Deputy National Chairman is supposed to take over once the National Chairman resigns. I have now resumed office as the authentic National Chairman of our great party, the African Democratic Congress.”
Ralph Nwosu stepped down from the party leadership earlier this year, shortly after the ADC joined forces with an opposition coalition. Following his resignation, David Mark was announced as Interim National Chairman by some party leaders connected to the coalition.
However, Bala has rejected the legitimacy of that appointment. He accused prominent coalition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, of attempting to hijack the ADC and impose their preferred leaders on the party.
“As the National leadership of the ADC, we are not aware of any change of leadership,” Bala said. “The appointment of an interim chairman was not done in line with our constitution. It is not acceptable.”
The ADC, a smaller but influential political party in Nigeria, recently attracted national attention when it was adopted by a coalition of opposition parties. The goal of the alliance was to present a united front ahead of the next general elections. However, this move appears to have triggered internal divisions and a fresh power struggle within the ADC.
So far, the party has not issued an official statement confirming Bala’s takeover or rejecting it. Party members and supporters are now waiting for clarity on who is truly in charge.
As the crisis unfolds, there are growing calls for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene and recognize the rightful leadership of the party to avoid further instability.
The ADC was founded in 2005 and has over the years positioned itself as a reform-driven party with a focus on youth and good governance. Its internal crisis comes at a critical time when many Nigerians are looking for credible alternatives to the ruling and main opposition parties.
