Nafiu Bala, a top chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Thursday led a team of supporters to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, escalating the party’s ongoing leadership crisis. Bala, who is staking his claim to the party’s national chairmanship, is locked in a legal battle with the faction led by former Senate President David Mark. His protest came just a day after the Mark-led group staged a similar demonstration.
Speaking to his supporters during the march, Bala called on INEC to officially recognise him as the legitimate national chairman, citing a recent Court of Appeal ruling. He accused the rival faction of attempting to seize control of the party unlawfully and alleged that they engaged in fraudulent practices to legitimise their position.
“The incident involving the unauthorised transfer of power to David Mark and his associates raises serious concerns about governance and the rule of law,” Bala said. He further claimed that the faction forged signatures of genuine party members, undermining the democratic process and public trust.
Bala warned that the crisis extends beyond the party, saying it could “foster a culture of impunity and disillusionment among voters.” He urged authorities to investigate and called on INEC to update its official records to reflect his leadership, noting that doing so would align with the court’s ruling and stabilise the party.
The ADC has been embroiled in this tussle since Ralph Nwosu’s resignation as national chairman, with both factions seeking legitimacy through political and legal channels. INEC has maintained its position of non-recognition for now, pending the outcome of the court process.
The leadership showdown has sparked nationwide attention, highlighting deep divisions within one of Nigeria’s opposition parties and raising questions about internal democracy and the integrity of political institutions.