Abuja — The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated on Thursday as Nafiu Bala, a chieftain of the party, led a group of supporters to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, demanding recognition as the party’s authentic national chairman.
Bala’s move comes barely 24 hours after a rival faction led by former Senate President, David Mark, staged a similar protest at the commission’s office, further highlighting the deepening division within the party.
Addressing supporters during the march, Bala insisted that his claim to the chairmanship is backed by a Court of Appeal ruling. He accused the Mark-led faction of attempting to unlawfully seize control of the party’s leadership structure.
“The incident involving the unauthorised transfer of power to David Mark and his associates raises significant concerns regarding the integrity of governance and the rule of law,” Bala said.
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He further alleged that the rival group engaged in fraudulent practices, including forging the signatures of party leaders to legitimise its position.
“Such actions not only undermine the democratic process but also violate the trust vested in these representatives by their constituents,” he stated, warning that the development could erode public confidence in political institutions.
Bala called on relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and ensure accountability, noting that the crisis began following the resignation of the party’s former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
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He also urged INEC to update its official records to reflect his leadership, arguing that such recognition would align with the court’s ruling and help stabilise the party.
Despite mounting pressure from both factions, INEC has maintained a neutral stance, stating that it will not recognise any leadership claim until a final court decision is reached.
The ADC has in recent weeks been embroiled in a fierce leadership tussle, with both camps trading accusations and seeking legitimacy through legal and political channels, raising concerns about the party’s unity ahead of future electoral contests.
