The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a fresh leadership crisis as Hon. Nafiu Bala, former Gombe State governorship candidate and current National Deputy Chairman, has declared himself the party’s Interim National Chairman.
Bala made the declaration during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, citing constitutional authority and the need to rescue the party from what he described as internal collapse and external manipulation.
His announcement challenges the leadership of former Senate President David Mark, who was previously appointed Interim National Chairman after an opposition coalition adopted ADC as its political platform.
In his address, Bala accused a group of former party leaders of betraying the ADC by handing over its structures to outsiders with no political or historical ties to the party. He described their actions as “political hooliganism” and “a disgraceful abdication of responsibility.”
“The ADC is being hijacked,” Bala said. “Some individuals, entrusted with leadership, have surrendered our party’s future to strangers. This is unacceptable, and we will resist it with every legal means.”
He expressed frustration over what he called a staged attempt to transfer political authority to non-members and vowed to restore the party’s internal democracy. Bala also issued a call to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge the change in leadership and enforce the party’s constitutional guidelines.
“In accordance with the ADC constitution, and as the duly elected National Deputy Chairman, I am stepping into my rightful role as Interim National Chairman,” he stated. “We will not allow impunity to thrive.”
Bala pledged to lead efforts to restore order and ensure that all party leadership processes align with constitutional provisions.
INEC has not yet commented on the leadership development.