Alleged resignation documents submitted by Nafiu Bala, a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress, have emerged online as the party navigates a leadership dispute following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s withdrawal of recognition from its executive committee.
The documents, circulated on the social media platform X by commentator Emma IK Umeh, indicate Bala’s departure from the party’s National Working Committee. One notice, dated May 18, 2025, states the resignation takes effect on May 26, 2025, to facilitate internal coalition and restructuring. Addressed to the party leadership, the communication clarifies that Bala remains an active member and is open to future assignments. A second notice, directed to the INEC chairman’s office in Abuja, records the submission date as May 17, 2025.
Correspondence from the ADC’s national office, signed by National Chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu and National Secretary Alhaji Said Baba Abdullahi, confirms the resignation was received and accepted in compliance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2022. The party formally requested that the electoral body amend its official registry to reflect the executive adjustment. The authenticity of the circulated documents remains unverified by independent sources.
The disclosure coincides with recent regulatory actions by the electoral commission. On Wednesday, INEC removed former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from its official database as the ADC’s national chairman and secretary, respectively. The commission also stated it will not recognize Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is currently petitioning the courts for the chairmanship. Additionally, INEC announced a suspension of oversight for all party conventions and a freeze on factional recognition until a Federal High Court delivers a substantive ruling on the succession dispute.
The electoral commission’s directive places a temporary hold on the African Democratic Congress’s administrative operations while the judicial process unfolds. Observers and party members await the Federal High Court’s determination, which will legally define the party’s executive structure and determine its operational status ahead of future electoral engagements.
