Wetin dey happen for African Democratic Congress (ADC) don turn serious gbege wey make Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wash hand comot. INEC don announce say dem no go recognise any of the two factions wey dey fight for party leadership. This decision follow court matter wey reach Appeal Court on March 12. The court sef refuse validate either group.
Na Nafiu Bala, wey dey lead one faction, confirm say im attend meeting for July 2025 when dem install former Senate President David Mark as interim leader. Bala yarn say that meeting na beginning of wahala for ADC. Since that time, party don split into two: one group follow David Mark, another follow Bala.
Videos wey show Bala for that meeting don dey fly upandan for social media since Monday. People dey talk am for everywhere. Bala come release statement on Tuesday to explain wetin happen. Im talk say no be say dem make any agreement to choose David Mark as interim leader that day.
According to Bala, “Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, the former National Chairman, dem give am chance to talk. Na im shock everybody when im announce say im dey resign as National Chairman. After dat, im give membership cards to Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola. Im appoint dem as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary.”
Bala hammer say Nwosu action no follow ADC Constitution at all. Articles 8(2) and 9(4) of the 2022 constitution clear: outgoing chairman no fit appoint successor. Bala talk say that move na pure irregular and unconstitutional matter.
This leadership fight don cause plenty tension for inside party. Both factions dey claim say na dem be correct leaders. Bala statement come out just as party dey face scrutiny from public and electoral authorities. Dem dey worry about how division go affect party future.
Nafiu Bala don face accusations say im faction dey get influence from ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Critics talk say na attempt to spoil ADC coalition project. But for interview with Daily Trust, Bala deny all these allegations strong strong.
Viral videos wey TheCable share show Bala dey sit down with Kenneth Okonkwo and other stakeholders for Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre for Abuja. Lauretta Onochie introduce Bala as ADC deputy national chairman (intergovernmental affairs) for that event.
Since July 2025, ADC don face internal crisis wey escalate go court. INEC come derecognise both factions, citing March 12 court of appeal judgment. Members of ADC dey vex say INEC use court judgment wey dem no understand well well.
This INEC move don become big blow to ADC wey dey emerge as main opposition party to ruling APC. Before this wahala, ADC get second largest number of representatives for National Assembly. Party get big politicians like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso.
Dem advertise Senator David Mark as Chairman with former Governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Raufu Aregbesola as Secretary. All these politicians share one ambition: remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC from power for 2027 election.
On April 1, INEC burst ADC bubble. Party dey confusion and outrage now. Wetin happen be say for July 29, 2025, Ralph Okey Nwosu resign as Chairman during NEC meeting. Im ratify appointment of present National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark.
Nafiu Bala Gombe wey be Deputy National Chairman raise objection. Im talk say na im suppose take over from Nwosu, not David Mark and others wey just join party. But Nwosu-backed group remind am say im don resign as Deputy Chairman through letter wey im sign on May 17, 2025.
Bala deny say im ever resign. On September 2, 2025, im file case at Federal High Court, Abuja. Im want court stop David Mark and others from parading themselves as ADC leaders. Justice Emeka Nwite hear matter on September 4 but no grant ex parte application. Im order make parties put on notice.
David Mark-led group come file appeal. On March 12, Appeal Court give preservatory order: “parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court.”
David Mark group continue with preparations for 2027 election. Dem dey register members, hold meetings, prepare for congresses wey schedule for April 9, 2026 and party Convention on April 14, 2026. Na this point Nafiu Gombe kick again.
INEC reportedly receive two letters: one from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co urge INEC not recognise Nafiu Gombe because of pending suit. Second letter from Summit Law Chambers ask INEC enforce Court of Appeal judgment wey require INEC cease recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregebesola.
After “careful consideration” of court processes, INEC resolve maintain “status quo ante bellum”. Dem remove names of Senator Mark and Ogbeni Aregbesola from portal pending determination of case at Federal High Court. But dem also refuse allow Nafiu Gombe take over leadership.
So ADC dey limbo now. INEC insist say dem only comply with judicial orders with neutrality and impartiality. But wahala don burst between INEC and ADC.
Major source of conflict na how to interpret “status quo ante bellum” wey Court of Appeal mention. This Latin phrase don become important for Nigerian politics grammar. For ordinary person, this kind phrase dey confuse.
On Thursday, April 2, ADC led by Senator David Mark hold World Press Conference at Musa Yar’Adua Conference Centre for Abuja. Dem submit say INEC Chairman act beyond im powers, take sides, and misinterpret wetin Court of Appeal mean by status quo ante bellum.
Senator David Mark and im allies pour out plenty vituperations. Dem accuse INEC of working for President and ruling party to impose one-party rule for Nigeria for 2027. ADC faction tell Professor Joash Amupitan say INEC no fit determine leadership of any political party.
Dem talk say dem no fit trust am again, so im and im National Commissioners suppose either resign or dem sack dem. ADC go ahead with party Congresses on April 9 and Convention on April 14 whether INEC like am or not. “This attack on democracy will not stand!” Senator David Mark declare.
INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, react to all allegations for Arise News interview. Im deny say dem use am as anybody tool. Im affirm say people go remember am as fair-minded umpire wey respect rule of law.
INEC even issue another statement proclaim im good faith. But na tough week for INEC. When ADC no dey attack dem, other voices for civil society claim without proof say dem blackmail Professor Amupitan to make INEC take position wey dem take.
Opposition never give INEC Chairman chance since im assume office. Dem plough upon am and INEC their misgivings about 2027 electoral process. But allegation of Nigeria becoming one-party state na weighty matter.
Opposition talk say ruling APC, by sabotaging other political parties and using INEC, dey determine make Nigerians no get any option besides incumbent President for 2027. Hallmark of democracy na competition and freedom wey e offer.
For multi-party democracy, possibility of alternative introduce diversity wey give people hope say change dey possible. No go dey interest of ruling APC to lock people for cage. 21 political parties dey field. Prominent ones like PDP, ADC, Labour, NNPP and SDP all blame their internal problems on APC.
Major problem trace to character of Nigerian politicians and state of our political parties. Sad say most Nigerian political parties na cash and carry Special Purpose Vehicles. Parties fragile, members peripatetic, loyalties seasonal.
Some opposition parties threaten say dem go boycott 2027 elections. Political boycott of elections fit be symbolic but na those who vote dey win. Leaders of such boycotts tend end up for exile after ruling party don have im way.
ADC for im press conference on April 2 call on international community keep eye on Nigerian situation. Best option for professional political class na put Nigeria first. INEC get urgent duty rebuild confidence and trust across board.
Paul Ibeh, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, don accuse President Bola Tinubu and INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu of colluding destabilise Nigeria opposition parties and erode democratic institutions. Im claim say presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announce Nafiu Bala as new national chairman of ADC.
Ibeh talk say na coordinated effort between Tinubu and INEC to annihilate opposition. Im ask wetin change make INEC recognise Bala now when before dem dey challenge im eligibility for court. “Tinubu and Amupitan na dem dey cook this democratic faux pas,” Ibeh write.
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