A new crisis has gripped the African Democratic Congress as the faction loyal to factional National Chairman Nafiu Bala issued a stern warning to leading opposition figures, accusing them of attempting to seize control of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC Board of Trustees delivered the warning on Thursday, November 20, while declaring full support for Bala and rejecting the David Mark-led coalition, which it described as an illegitimate structure operating outside the party’s constitution.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, BoT Secretary, Chief Rufus Ekenmi, criticised what he termed “an attempt by some individuals who illegally sneaked into the party in the name of a coalition, infesting the ADC with the political spirit of insubordination.”
He stated, “The Board of Trustees of the ADC has observed with no little misgiving that there’s an attempt to hijack the party by the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, David Mark, El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Babachir Lawal, Emeka Ihedioha, Liyel Imoke, and others, which is illegal and condemnable.”
Ekenmi, represented by BoT member Abdulmumeeni Ibraheem, went on to describe the political heavyweights as “politicians with a high propensity for impatience.”
The faction also directed Bala to activate a disciplinary committee to investigate and sanction any ADC member found engaging with the listed leaders, insisting the party “will not condone any act of lawlessness by its members.”
Reacting to the endorsement, Bala pledged to operate strictly within the party constitution and assured members of fair and objective leadership.
He also accused members of the coalition of violating party rules by running activities from a parallel headquarters.
“I must state unequivocally that our party constitution unambiguously stipulates that only registered members in good standing are entitled to party privileges, including access to official premises,” Bala said.
He added that the rival group had “circumvented the rules governing party operations, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution,” warning that their activities threatened internal democracy.
Bala also faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission for recognising David Mark as ADC chairman despite his alleged lack of party membership.
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According to him, “The situation remains fluid as stakeholders await a decision from the Federal High Court, which is currently challenging INEC’s recognition of David Mark’s leadership of the ADC—a leadership position for which he does not hold party membership.”
When contacted, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed the Bala faction entirely, saying the party would not enter into any public exchange with them.
“We don’t like engaging in this kind of conversation. In fact, we are not aware that any faction exists, and we don’t want to continue to give life to that story,” he said.
This latest development follows the Mark-led faction’s inauguration of a new national secretariat in Abuja three days earlier.
Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi were notably absent from the event. The building, once used as Atiku’s presidential campaign office, has now been taken over by the ADC.
Abdullahi refuted claims that the building’s takeover signalled a major realignment.
“Atiku used to be the tenant of this building. But his tenancy has lapsed. The African Democratic Congress is now the tenant of this building. This is not an indication of anything,” he said.
He insisted the party remained committed to fairness as it prepared for its February congresses, noting that the coalition’s structure remained intact.
Abdullahi also confirmed that Obi and Nasir El-Rufai were expected to “come back fully” after the Anambra governorship election.
Meanwhile, tensions have risen as the ADC continues to pressure coalition leaders to formally resign from their existing parties and register fully with the ADC, a move several prominent figures have resisted.
Obi, through his former campaign spokesman Dr Yunusa Tanko, said he would clarify his position after the November 8 Anambra poll, stressing that he would not be hurried into any decision.
The leadership crisis deepened in August when Nafiu Bala declared himself National Chairman, triggering a fierce tussle that has left the party divided as it approaches the 2027 election season.