The acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, has alleged that he was deceived into attending a ceremony where the party’s leadership was abruptly transferred.
Bala made the claim during an interview on AIT News on Monday, reacting to reports that he was present at the event where former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola were announced as interim National Chairman and Secretary of the party.
According to him, he had been invited under the impression that the July 2025 gathering was solely for the formal adoption of new coalition members into the party, led by former chairman Ralph Nwosu.
“I was told it was an event to adopt new coalition members, but on that same day, Nwosu announced his resignation and immediately unveiled a new leadership,” Bala said.
He explained that he only became aware of the true purpose of the meeting after proceedings had begun, insisting that he neither had prior knowledge of the leadership change nor gave his consent.
Bala, who served as deputy national chairman at the time, said he later embarked on consultations with other party stakeholders before asserting his claim to the acting national chairmanship.
He added that he subsequently wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to notify it of his position, but was informed that he had allegedly resigned, a claim he described as part of the alleged deception.
“After consultations with members of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee, I wrote to INEC declaring that I had assumed office as acting National Chairman. We also proceeded to court,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Nwosu nor the faction loyal to Mark had responded to the allegations.
The development adds to the deepening leadership crisis within the ADC, with multiple factions laying claim to the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Groups aligned with Mark, as well as those linked to other party figures, including Dumebi Kachikwu, have traded accusations over alleged illegality and control of party machinery.
Meanwhile, INEC has reportedly withheld recognition of the Mark-led leadership, stating it would not supervise party activities until the dispute is resolved by the Federal High Court.
The crisis has also drawn political accusations, with the Mark camp alleging external interference, while the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress have dismissed such claims and urged the party to address its internal disagreements