A fresh internal dispute has emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the faction loyal to National Chairman Nafiu Bala cautioned prominent opposition figures—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai—against attempting to hijack the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The warning came on Thursday from the ADC Board of Trustees (BoT), which also expressed full confidence in Bala and described the coalition led by David Mark as an illegal entity operating outside the party’s recognized leadership.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, BoT Secretary Chief Rufus Ekenmi condemned what he described as “an attempt by some individuals to infiltrate the ADC under the guise of a coalition, bringing in a spirit of insubordination.”
“The Board has noted with concern efforts by the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, David Mark, El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Babachir Lawal, Emeka Ihedioha, Liyel Imoke, and others to hijack the party. Such actions are illegal and unacceptable,” Ekenmi said.
Represented by fellow BoT member Abdulmumeeni Ibraheem, he described the coalition leaders as “politicians prone to impatience” and stated that Bala was mandated to activate the party’s disciplinary committee to sanction any member engaging with them. “The party will not tolerate lawlessness by its members,” he added.
In response to the endorsement, Bala pledged to uphold the party constitution while ensuring fairness in leadership. He accused the coalition members of breaching ADC rules by operating from a parallel headquarters.
“Our constitution clearly states that only registered members in good standing are entitled to party privileges, including access to official premises,” Bala noted. “The rival group has circumvented party regulations, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution, threatening internal democracy.”
He also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognizing Mark as ADC chairman despite his lack of registered membership, adding that the matter is currently under review by the Federal High Court.
Reacting to the factional dispute, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party would not engage the Bala faction publicly. “We are not aware that any faction exists, and we don’t want to give life to that story,” he said.
The warning from Bala’s faction follows the inauguration of a new ADC national secretariat in Abuja by the Mark-led group. Atiku and Obi were notably absent from the event. The building, previously used as Atiku’s campaign office, is now under ADC’s control.
Abdullahi dismissed suggestions that the development signaled a realignment within the opposition. He reiterated that Obi and El-Rufai are expected to fully return following the Anambra governorship election and that the coalition structure remains intact.
PUNCH Online reported that the ADC has been encouraging opposition leaders to formally register with the party—a move resisted by some key coalition figures. Obi, through his former campaign spokesman Dr Yunusa Tanko, said he would clarify his position after the November 8 Anambra election, emphasizing that he would not be rushed.
The leadership tussle intensified in August when Nafiu Bala assumed office as National Chairman, deepening the split within the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.
