Controversy as More Videos Confirm Nafiu Bala’s Attendance at ADC Unveiling of David Mark-Led Leadership

Fresh videos circulating online have intensified the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), showing Nafiu Bala – who later declared himself the party’s national chairman – attending the July 2025 event where former Senate President David Mark was unveiled as interim national chairman.

The footage shows Bala seated among party leaders and stakeholders at the ceremony held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. In the video, he is seen in the same row with Kenneth Okonkwo, a former chieftain of the Labour Party, alongside other political figures who attended the event.

Party stakeholders who were present at the programme confirmed Bala’s presence, while earlier footage from the July 2, 2025 gathering had also captured him at the venue.

During the event, former presidential aide Lauretta Onochie introduced Bala to participants as the ADC deputy national chairman (intergovernmental affairs). Onochie co-moderated the programme alongside former Kogi senator Dino Melaye. Bala briefly stood up to acknowledge the introduction before taking his seat.

At the same gathering, Ralph Nwosu, the founder and then national chairman of the ADC, announced that members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) had resolved to step down to pave the way for Mark to lead the party in an interim capacity.

The latest video has reignited debate within the party, as Bala later rejected the arrangement that produced the Mark-led leadership.

Attempts to reach Bala for comments on the development were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to his phone were not returned.

Self-Declaration as Party Chairman

On July 30, 2025, less than a month after the leadership unveiling, Bala addressed a press conference in Abuja where he declared himself the national chairman of the ADC.

He accused the Mark-led interim leadership of illegally taking over the party and violating its constitution.

Bala also denied resigning from his position as deputy national chairman, describing a purported resignation letter linked to him as fabricated. He insisted that legitimate members of the party would challenge what he described as an unlawful takeover in court.

Court Battle

The dispute soon escalated into a legal contest. On September 2, 2025, Bala filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order restraining the Mark-led executives from presenting themselves as leaders of the party.

He also asked the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the leadership and to compel the electoral body to acknowledge him as the acting national chairman.

When the matter came up on September 4, 2025, Justice Emeka Nwite directed the respondents, including INEC, to show cause why Bala’s request should not be granted.

Mark subsequently filed an appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear the case.

However, in a judgement delivered on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, ruling that it lacked merit. The three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that the lower court had not issued any substantive ruling but had merely directed parties to respond to the motion.

The appellate court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the case at the Federal High Court.

INEC Withdraws Recognition

Following the judgement, INEC announced that it would no longer recognise either of the rival factions within the ADC until the court finally resolves the leadership dispute.

The electoral body said it would refrain from attending meetings, conventions or congresses organised by the factions in compliance with the court’s directive.

The Mark-led faction, however, rejected the interpretation of the ruling, accusing the electoral commission of acting in a manner that could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

Allegations of External Influence

The leadership crisis has also triggered political accusations, with some opposition figures alleging that Bala’s actions may be backed by elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the ADC before the next general elections.

Those making the claims argue that the prolonged dispute could affect the party’s ability to organise effectively ahead of the 2027 polls.

The APC has denied any involvement, maintaining that the leadership tussle within the ADC is strictly an internal matter for the opposition party to resolve.

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