A fresh crisis has broken out in the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections, as a faction loyal to the party’s factional National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, has warned top opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai against allegedly plotting to take over the party.
The warning came on Thursday from the ADC Board of Trustees, which also reaffirmed its confidence in Bala’s leadership. The BoT described the David Mark–led coalition as an illegal structure supported by a rival faction.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, BoT Secretary Chief Rufus Ekenmi, represented by member Abdulmumeeni Ibraheem, condemned what he called “an attempt by individuals who illegally infiltrated the party under the guise of a coalition, infecting the ADC with a culture of insubordination.”
According to him, the BoT has observed “with serious concern” a move by Atiku, Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, David Mark, El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Babachir Lawal, Emeka Ihedioha, Liyel Imoke, and others to hijack the ADC an action he described as illegal and unacceptable. He labelled the group “politicians with a high propensity for impatience.”
The faction also authorised Bala to activate a disciplinary committee to sanction any ADC member who engages with the listed political leaders, insisting that the party “will not tolerate lawlessness from any member.”
Reacting to the BoT’s endorsement, Bala pledged to uphold the party’s constitution and lead with fairness. He accused members of the coalition of violating the ADC constitution by running activities from a parallel headquarters.
He stressed that only duly registered members in good standing are entitled to party privileges, including access to official facilities, and warned that the rival group’s actions threatened internal democracy.
Bala further criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission for recognising David Mark as ADC chairman despite his alleged lack of party membership.
He noted that stakeholders are awaiting a Federal High Court judgment challenging INEC’s recognition of Mark’s leadership.
When contacted, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi declined to engage the Bala faction, saying the party does not acknowledge the existence of any faction and would not “give life” to such claims.
The latest development comes three days after the Mark-led group inaugurated a new national secretariat in Abuja. Atiku and Obi key figures in the coalition were notably absent. The building, once used as Atiku’s presidential campaign office, has now been taken over by the ADC.
Abdullahi dismissed suggestions of deeper political realignments, insisting the coalition structure remained intact and that the party was preparing for its February congresses. He also said Obi and El-Rufai are expected to fully engage with the coalition after the Anambra governorship election.
According to earlier reports, the ADC has been pressuring opposition heavyweights to resign from their current parties and formally register as ADC members a demand many coalition leaders have resisted. Obi, through former campaign spokesman Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said he would clarify his stance only after the November 8 Anambra election.
The party’s internal conflict intensified in August after Nafiu Bala declared himself National Chairman, deepening a leadership crisis that now threatens ADC unity ahead of 2027.
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