The acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Bala, has alleged that he was misled into attending a ceremony where the party’s leadership was transferred to a new team.
Bala made the claim during an interview on AIT News on Monday, reacting to reports that he was present at the event where former Senate President David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola were announced as interim National Chairman and Secretary of the party.
According to him, he had been invited to what he believed was a routine gathering to formally admit new members into the ADC-led coalition, under the leadership of former chairman Ralph Nwosu. However, he said the event unexpectedly turned into a leadership handover ceremony.
“I was tricked to attend the handing-over ceremony to David Mark. Ralph told me that it was just adoption of new members for the coalition movement.
“But on the same day, Nwosu announced his resignation, and on the same day, he announced David Mark and other excos,” he said.
Bala, who served as the party’s deputy national chairman at the time, said he only became aware of the true purpose of the meeting after proceedings had already begun, insisting he neither had prior knowledge of nor consented to the leadership change.
Addressing questions over his delayed reaction, he explained that he embarked on extensive consultations before taking any formal steps, including notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission of his claim to the acting chairmanship.
He further alleged that INEC later informed him he had resigned his position as Deputy National Chairman, a claim he described as part of the alleged deception.
“Immediately after one week, we started organising meetings. The remaining NWC and NEC members were consulting across the country before taking any action.
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“After consultations, I wrote a letter to INEC, as Deputy National Chairman and with the remaining NWC, that I had resumed office as the authentic acting National Chairman of the party.
After the consultations, I remember that immediately we went to court,” Bala said.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Nwosu nor the faction aligned with David Mark has responded to the allegations.
The controversy adds to the deepening leadership crisis within the ADC, where three rival factions are currently contesting control of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Groups loyal to Mark, Gombe, and former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu have continued to trade accusations, each accusing the others of illegality, impunity, and attempts to seize party structures.
Following a recent court ruling, INEC has withdrawn recognition of the Mark-led leadership and announced that it will not oversee the party’s activities, including meetings and conventions, until the Federal High Court settles the dispute.
Leaders of the Mark faction have accused the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress of supporting the Gombe and Kachikwu groups in a bid to create an advantage for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
However, both the APC and the Presidency have denied the allegation, urging the faction to focus on resolving its internal disputes rather than attributing blame to external actors.