A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Gombe State governorship candidate Nafiu Bala, has strongly rejected the leadership claim of former Senate President David Mark, describing it as baseless and unconstitutional.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Dr. Aminu Alhassan, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to Bala, the group insisted that only verified members of the party are eligible to contest or assume leadership roles, as clearly stipulated in the ADC’s constitution.
“Following the resignation of Chief Ralph Nwosu, we have observed that certain individuals most notably David Mark and his associates have attempted to position themselves as party leaders,” the statement read. “These claims are not only unfounded but also violate the core principles and constitutional framework of the ADC.”
The statement clarified that Chief Nwosu’s exit did not create a power vacuum that can be filled arbitrarily, but rather a process-bound opportunity for constitutional dialogue and leadership transition.
“The ADC constitution clearly mandates that any individual aspiring to leadership must be a bona fide party member. That is a non-negotiable prerequisite,” Alhassan stated.
He further explained that the appropriate route for determining new leadership is through a properly convened National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, followed by ratification through established party convention channels.
Reaffirming Alhaji Nafiu Bala as the party’s legitimate National Chairman, the faction urged members to remain calm and united amid ongoing leadership disputes.
“We want to make it categorically clear that neither INEC regulations, the Nigerian Constitution, nor the ADC’s own constitution allow anyone to assume leadership without due process. What David Mark and his team are attempting is a clear violation of democratic principles and an abuse of process,” the statement said.
The faction expressed full confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the electoral body to continue upholding democratic norms in internal party affairs.
“We believe INEC will continue to play its constitutional role in safeguarding the democratic integrity of political parties,” Alhassan noted. “The ADC remains committed to working collaboratively with INEC to maintain transparency, accountability, and democratic order.”
In conclusion, the faction called on loyal members to rally behind Alhaji Nafiu Bala, describing his leadership as crucial to steering the party through its current transition and into a stronger, more unified future.
“The ADC was built on the foundations of integrity, accountability, and democracy. We must stand together to protect these values from opportunistic disruptions,” the statement added.
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