The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been thrown into turmoil as two rival factions vie for control of the party’s leadership. In a dramatic escalation, supporters of Nafiu Bala, who claims to be the party’s legitimate National Chairman, staged a protest in Abuja on Thursday, demanding recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking to journalists during the demonstration, Leke Abejide, an ADC member of the House of Representatives, insisted that Bala is the only member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) who did not resign, contrary to claims by opposing factions. “Nwosu, who resigned, did so without notice. There was no meeting,” Abejide stated. “The new national chairman they are seeing behind me was the only party NEC member who did not resign. Though they are forging everything around saying that he resigned, I am aware he did not resign.”
Abejide urged INEC to officially recognize Bala as the authentic National Chairman of the ADC, emphasizing that Bala was the only party executive who did not step down. “We expected INEC to have done the honourable thing by putting his name as the authentic National Chairman,” he said.
The protest, led by Bala, saw supporters marching through the streets of Abuja, calling on prominent opposition figures—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and former Senate President David Mark—to stay away from the party. Bala accused these leaders of attempting to hijack the ADC.
The demonstration comes just 24 hours after a rival protest by the David Mark faction of the ADC at the INEC office on Wednesday. That protest, which included notable political figures such as Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and David Mark, further highlighted the deepening divisions within the party.
The leadership crisis has left the ADC in a state of uncertainty, with both factions claiming legitimacy. As the dispute intensifies, the role of INEC in resolving the matter will be crucial in determining the party’s future direction. The ongoing protests underscore the high stakes involved, as both sides seek to assert control over the ADC ahead of upcoming political events.
