ABUJA – A leadership crisis has engulfed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as Hon. Nafiu Bala, the party’s former Deputy National Chairman, declared himself interim National Chairman.

This move comes after Bala’s resignation from his position as Deputy National Chairman on May 18, 2025, citing the need for “smooth and effective coalition and restructuring”.

In his resignation letter, Bala stated, “My resignation does not in any way mean that I am abandoning the party, so I would be ready to serve in any other capacity I may be called upon in the future.”

The letter, addressed to the National Chairman, read in part: “I, Nafiu Bala, do hereby write to notify you of my resignation as member of the National Working Committee of our great party, African Democratic Congress with effect from 26 May, 2025.”

Bala’s declaration as interim National Chairman came during a press conference on July 31, 2025, where he accused the David Mark-led faction of “illegally hijacking” the party’s leadership and violating its constitution. He claimed the faction had surrendered control to “powerful outsiders” with no ties to the ADC, including prominent opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

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“We wish to draw the attention of all members of our great party and Nigerians at large, to the ongoing acts of political hooliganism being perpetrated by some individuals who were hitherto entrusted with the leadership of the party,” Bala said.

“The idea of mortgaging the future of our great party by abdicating the constitutional duties and responsibilities of all elected officers of the party to some powerful outsiders who never belong to the party is condemnable.”

Bala has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize him as the legitimate leader of the ADC, stating that the party’s constitution provides clear guidelines for succession and filling vacant positions. “In the circumstances and also in furtherance of my constitutional mandate as the duly elected National Deputy Chairman of our great party, I now assume my constitutional duty and responsibility as the Interim National Chairman of our great party,” he declared.

The ADC has dismissed Bala’s claim, with the party’s national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stating that Bala’s resignation letter supports the party’s position. The crisis marks a critical juncture for the ADC, especially as the party seeks to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.