The protracted internal leadership dispute within Nigeria's African Democratic Congress (ADC) has escalated further, with a faction aligned to acting National Chairman Nafiu Bala declaring the prominent opposition coalition led by former Senate President David Mark as "completely unlawful and unconstitutional."
In a strongly worded press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, the factional Board of Trustees (BoT) of the ADC, represented by its Secretary Chief Rufus Ekenmi, passed a vote of confidence in Bala's leadership while condemning attempts by high-profile politicians to "infiltrate and seize control" of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
"The so-called coalition operating under the interim chairmanship of Senator David Mark represents an illegitimate parallel structure that violates every provision of the ADC constitution," Ekenmi stated. He accused the group of "sneaking into the party without proper registration or adherence to internal democratic processes," thereby introducing a culture of "insubordination and lawlessness."
The faction specifically criticized the Mark-led group's recent inauguration of a new national secretariat in Abuja's Wuse 2 district just days earlier, describing it as a "private facility with no official standing" and warning the public, party members, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard any activities emanating from there.
Nafiu Bala, speaking alongside BoT members, emphasized that the party's constitution explicitly reserves leadership positions and privileges—including access to official premises—only for duly registered members in good standing. "Non-members cannot impose themselves as leaders or operate parallel headquarters. This is a clear breach, and we will not tolerate it," Bala asserted.
The BoT went further by directing Bala to immediately convene a disciplinary committee to sanction any ADC member found collaborating with the coalition's key figures. Among those named as personas non grata were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami (SAN), ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and several former state governors including Emeka Ihedioha (Imo) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River).
This latest development marks a resurgence of tensions that first erupted in mid-2025 when a broad opposition alliance—frustrated by perceived weaknesses in existing platforms like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party—selected the ADC as its vehicle to challenge President Bola Tinubu's All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. The coalition formally adopted the party in July, installing David Mark as interim national chairman after the resignation of long-time founder Ralph Nwosu.
However, dissenting voices within the ADC immediately branded the move a "hostile takeover," arguing that it bypassed mandatory national conventions, state structures, and membership requirements. Multiple lawsuits were filed at the Federal High Court challenging INEC's recognition of the Mark-led executive, with critics pointing out that many coalition members, including Mark himself, were not card-carrying ADC members at the time of their appointments.
The Bala faction, which claims support from a majority of state chapters and grassroots organs, has consistently positioned itself as the "authentic" leadership committed to preserving the party's independence and ideological roots as a grassroots-oriented alternative.
Political analysts see the renewed confrontation as a significant setback for opposition unity efforts. "The ADC was meant to serve as a fresh platform to consolidate anti-APC forces, but these factional battles risk fragmenting the third-force movement even before the race to 2027 begins," noted Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, a governance expert at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in Abuja.
As of now, INEC has not issued a fresh statement on the competing claims, though the electoral body previously updated its records to reflect the Mark-led National Working Committee. A pending court ruling is expected to provide clarity, but observers warn that prolonged infighting could weaken the party's registration status or lead to further splintering.
The ADC, founded in 2005 and known for its modest but consistent performance in national elections, now finds itself at a crossroads: either resolve its internal contradictions to emerge as a viable opposition flagship or risk irrelevance amid Nigeria's polarized political landscape.
Party stakeholders from both sides have called for calm, with the Mark coalition maintaining that its actions are aimed at "rescuing and rebuilding" the ADC into a formidable force for democratic renewal. Meanwhile, the Bala group insists on strict adherence to constitutional processes, vowing to defend the party's sovereignty "at all costs."
As legal battles and behind-the-scenes negotiations continue, Nigerians watching the opposition space await whether this crisis will forge a stronger united front or deepen divisions in the quest to unseat the ruling APC.