ADC in Crisis as Deputy Chairman Assumes Leadership, Rejects David Mark

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is grappling with a severe leadership crisis following the resignation of its national chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

The party’s Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, has formally assumed the role of national chairman, directly challenging a rival faction that appointed former Senate President David Mark as interim leader.

Bala declared himself the “authentic” chairman during a press briefing at the party’s Abuja secretariat, grounding his claim in the ADC’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

He stated, “I have resumed office… which clearly states that the Deputy National Chairman takes over in the event of the National Chairman’s resignation.”

This power struggle was triggered after an opposition coalition, reportedly involving figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, adopted the ADC as a platform to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 elections and appointed David Mark as its interim head. Bala rejected this move, calling it an “unconstitutional attempt to hijack the party” and denying any discussions with Atiku, who is not an ADC member.

The crisis has split the party into clear factions, with the Bala faction endorsed by the ADC’s North-East caucus, the National Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, and its 2023 governorship candidates. They cite a constitutional mandate for his succession.

The rival factions include a group in Gombe State which claims to have expelled Bala for anti-party activities, while another faction led by Danladi Ya’u has thrown its support behind David Mark, calling Bala’s claim “baseless.”

Amid the infighting, Bala’s camp has also denounced a fake resignation letter circulated in his name and has notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of his legitimate takeover, vowing to pursue legal action to protect the party’s integrity.

Political analysts warn that the very public dispute threatens to destabilize the ADC and undermine its credibility as a viable opposition force. Bala remains defiant, vowing to strengthen party structures and prevent what he calls “political hooliganism” from prevailing.

The outcome of this tussle will be crucial for the party’s survival and its role in the upcoming 2027 elections.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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