Nafiu Bala, factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has confirmed his attendance at the party’s unveiling of the interim leadership led by David Mark in July 2025.
Since July 2025, when the opposition coalition assumed leadership of the ADC, the party has been grappling with internal crises, with Bala and the Mark-led group laying claim to its leadership.
The crisis culminated in protracted legal disputes, prompting INEC to de-recognise both factions on Wednesday, citing the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal.
As INEC’s decision continued to generate debate, two viral videos obtained by The Cable revealed that Bala was present at the ADC unveiling of the Mark-led leadership in July 2025.
On Saturday, TheCable reported Bala’s attendance at the event, citing a July 2, 2025, video posted by Symfoni on YouTube.
The newspaper also published another viral video on Monday, which indicated Bala’s presence at the meeting. The footage, now circulating on social media, shows Bala seated in the same row as Kenneth Okonkwo, a former chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), alongside other party stakeholders at the ceremony held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday, Bala confirmed his attendance but insisted that there was no prior agreement to appoint the Mark-led leadership at the meeting.
He said the meeting, which was held on July 2, 2025, was convened specifically for the adoption of ADC as a unified platform for coalition partners, not to unveil new party leaders.
“Contrary to expectations, the event took an unexpected turn when Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, the then National Chairman, was given the floor to deliver his welcoming address,” Bala said.
“In a shocking move, he announced his resignation as National Chairman, proceeded to issue a membership card to Sen. David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, and declared them Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.” He added that following Nwosu’s announcement, Sa’id Baba Abdullahi, the then national secretary of the party, resigned, citing unclear circumstances.
“None of the NWC members were privy to the situation, and neither Nwosu nor Abdullahi had discussed the matter with us before the meeting,” the ADC factional chair stated.
“I trust this clarification addresses the concerns raised by the circulating videos of my humble self on social media platforms. I appreciate the opportunity to provide accurate information and set the record straight.”
