A fresh crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections, as a faction loyal to the factional National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, warned opposition heavyweights—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai—against hijacking the party.
The warning was issued on Thursday by the ADC Board of Trustees (BoT), which also passed a vote of confidence in Bala, describing the David Mark-led coalition as an illegal structure backed by a rival leadership.
Addressing journalists during a press conference in Abuja, BoT Secretary, Chief Rufus Ekenmi, condemned what he called “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 said, “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.”
The faction also mandated Bala to activate a disciplinary committee to sanction any ADC member found interacting with the listed leaders, insisting the party “will not condone any act of lawlessness by its members.”
Reacting to his endorsement, Bala vowed to uphold the constitution of the party while promising to be fair and objective in his leadership.
“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.
The factional chair also faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission for recognising Mark as ADC chairman despite him not being a registered member.
“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,” Bala noted.
The PUNCH
