Convention: ADC ratifies David Mark-led NWC, expels Nafiu Bala, Leke Abejide over ‘anti-party activities’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has ratified a new National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, while expelling several members, including factional chairman Nafiu Bala and lawmaker Leke Abejide, over alleged anti-party activities.

The decisions were the major highlights of the party’s National Convention held on Tuesday at the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, where over 1,500 delegates gathered in what party leaders described as a defining moment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The convention formally endorsed the transition of leadership from former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, to the Mark-led executive, following resolutions earlier adopted by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

Mark, who had served in an interim capacity since a coalition arrangement in 2025, was overwhelmingly confirmed as the substantive National Chairman. Also ratified into the new leadership structure was former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who emerged as National Secretary.

The convention upheld the resolution of the ADC’s 99th NEC meeting, which dissolved the Nwosu-led NWC with immediate effect and transferred full authority to the Mark-led leadership. Delegates unanimously backed the move, consolidating what party insiders described as a “strategic realignment” to position the ADC as a credible opposition platform.

Further strengthening the new leadership’s mandate, delegates voted overwhelmingly to amend the party’s constitution. Announcing the results, former Imo State governor and chairman of the ADC Electoral Sub-Committee, Emeka Ihedioha, disclosed that 1,576 delegates were accredited, with 1,471 voting in favour of the amendment, representing 94 per cent approval, while 11 votes were declared void.

“By virtue of this result, the constitution of the African Democratic Congress has today been duly amended by this convention,” Ihedioha declared.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Legal and Convention Processes Committee, Olumide Apata, led the ratification of key resolutions from the party’s 97th, 98th, and 99th NEC meetings.

Speaking on the resolutions, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, said they included a waiver of membership requirements, suspension of zoning provisions for executive positions, and removal of the rule mandating that vacant offices be filled by individuals from the same geopolitical zone.

A major flashpoint at the convention was the expulsion of several members accused of undermining party unity. Those expelled include Bala, Abejide, factional leader Kingsley Temitope, Noman Obinna, Kennedy Odion, Stella Chukwuma, and four others.

The motion for their expulsion was moved by Senator Binos Yaroe and seconded by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, before being adopted by delegates through a voice vote.

Idigo accused the affected individuals of fuelling internal divisions and creating instability within the party.

“They have sown seeds of discord within the party and sought to create factions, doubts, and confusion across the polity, the public, and regulatory authorities,” he said, adding that they were given time to retrace their steps but failed to do so.

The expulsions come amid lingering internal disputes within the ADC, which have persisted since July 2025, when an opposition coalition assumed control of the party’s leadership. Bala had consistently challenged the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership, alleging that his emergence as national chairman was unlawful.

The leadership tussle had drawn the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which on April 1 derecognised the Mark-led faction following an interim ruling of the Court of Appeal. However, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has fixed April 22 to hear an appeal filed by Mark challenging the suit instituted by Bala.

Beyond internal party matters, the convention also provided a platform for opposition figures to criticise the current administration and electoral system.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, accused INEC of undermining democracy, alleging that the electoral body was being manipulated to frustrate opposition efforts.

“We fought the military to bring democracy to this country, and we are going to fight to protect it,” he said, warning that the commission would be held accountable for any perceived irregularities.

Also addressing delegates, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, raised concerns over Nigeria’s rising debt profile under President Bola Tinubu.

Obi criticised the government’s borrowing trend despite the removal of fuel subsidy, noting that Nigeria’s debt had surged significantly, while key development projects remained underfunded.

According to him, the country’s financial trajectory was unsustainable and could lead to economic instability if not urgently addressed.

The convention marks a significant moment for the ADC as it seeks to reposition itself as a formidable opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections, despite ongoing legal battles and internal dissent.