Factional chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Nafiu Bala, has debunked claims that he resigned from his position, insisting that a letter circulating to that effect is fraudulent.
A statement issued on Sunday, August 24, by Dr Christopher Okechukwu, Director of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the National Chairman, clarified that the letter dated May 18, 2025, neither came from Bala nor bore any official insignia of the party.
According to Okechukwu, Bala remains in office as the party’s recognised leader and continues to steer the ADC in line with constitutional provisions. He described the forged document as a calculated ploy to create chaos within the party.
“The National Leadership of the African Democratic Congress under the legitimate and constitutionally recognized Acting National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala, hereby issues this statement to categorically deny the existence of any legitimate resignation letter from Hon. Nafiu Bala and to expose the malicious plot engineered by former National Chairman Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and a coalition of power-seeking elements attempting to hijack the party’s structures through undemocratic means,” the statement read.
It continued, “The ADC emphatically denies the authenticity of a resignation letter purportedly authored by Hon. Nafiu Bala and dated May 18, 2025.
“This document is entirely fabricated, fraudulent, and maliciously circulated by certain mischievous elements within and outside our party seeking to undermine the ADC’s constitutional leadership and sow discord among our members.
“Hon. Nafiu Bala has not at any time resigned from his position as Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, nor has he relinquished his leadership role following the legitimate transition processes outlined in the party constitution.”
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The party further alleged that the forged letter was part of a broader scheme by individuals, including former chairman Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, to infiltrate ADC structures through illegal means.
It warned that attempts had even been made to present such unauthorised documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of the plot.
“The fraudulent document, which lacks official party letterhead, emblems, or insignia, represents a desperate attempt to create confusion and destabilise the party’s operations,” Okechukwu added.
The statement urged INEC to ignore any documents not issued through the proper channels and to recognise Bala as the legitimate leader.
It also appealed to party members and the wider public to disregard rumours of a leadership change.
“The African Democratic Congress calls upon INEC to reject any unauthorised documentation and recognise only the legitimate leadership under Hon. Nafiu Bala. Party members nationwide are to remain vigilant against misinformation campaigns,” the statement said.
It added that law enforcement agencies should investigate those behind the forgery to protect democratic processes.
Reaffirming Bala’s leadership, the party concluded that the ADC remains committed to Nigeria’s democratic development and urged stakeholders to resist attempts by “power mongers” to destabilise the party.