Why was Nafiu Bala at David Mark’s ADC unveiling? Factional Chairman breaks silence as INEC derecognises both camps

Nafiu Bala, a factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has broken his silence over viral videos showing him at the party’s July 2025 unveiling of an interim leadership led by Senator David Mark, insisting his presence at the event did not amount to endorsement of what he described as an irregular and unconstitutional process.

The clarification comes at a sensitive moment for the opposition party, which is battling a deepening ADC leadership crisis after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced it would no longer recognise either the David Mark-led faction or the Nafiu Bala faction, citing a March 12 Court of Appeal ruling. According to Daily Post, the dispute has effectively left the ADC without a leadership structure recognised by the electoral body as the 2027 political realignments gather momentum.

Nafiu Bala Confirms He Attended the ADC Unveiling in July 2025

The controversy escalated after videos from the July 2025 ADC gathering resurfaced online, showing Nafiu Bala in attendance during the event where David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola emerged as interim leaders. The footage, referenced by Legit.ng and linked to clips shared by TheCable and Symfoni, reignited questions over whether Bala had initially backed the leadership arrangement he now disputes.

In response, Bala confirmed that he was indeed present at the meeting but stressed that the gathering was not originally convened for the formal unveiling or appointment of new national leaders. He said the event took an unexpected turn when then-ADC national chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu announced his resignation and immediately handed membership cards to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola before naming them acting national chairman and national secretary, respectively. Daily Post reported Bala as saying the move shocked several party insiders.

‘David Mark Was Imposed’, Bala Alleges Constitutional Breach in ADC

At the heart of Bala’s statement is a strong allegation: David Mark was imposed on the party leadership in a manner that violated the ADC’s internal rules.

According to Bala, the actions of Ralph Nwosu were inconsistent with Articles 8(2) and 9(4) of the ADC Constitution (2022, as amended). He argued that the party’s constitution does not empower an outgoing national chairman to single-handedly appoint a successor or install a new national secretary without a formal process. Bala maintained that there was no formal vote, no consensus, and no prior consultation with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) before the announcement was made. Both Daily Post and Legit.ng highlighted this point as central to his defence.

Bala further stated that several NWC members, including himself, were caught off guard by the development and had not been briefed beforehand. He also referenced the resignation of then-national secretary Sa’id Baba Abdullahi, describing the circumstances as unclear and suggesting that key party officers were blindsided by the sudden leadership switch.

INEC Derecognises Both ADC Factions After Appeal Court Judgment

The timing of Bala’s clarification is significant because it follows INEC’s decision to derecognise both the David Mark and Nafiu Bala factions of the ADC.

As reported by Daily Post and echoed by TheCable, INEC said it would no longer recognise either camp after reviewing the March 12 Court of Appeal judgment relating to the party’s leadership dispute. The decision also led to the removal of the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from the commission’s official portal, further intensifying uncertainty around the party’s legal and political standing.

TheCable noted that the development means the ADC currently has no leadership recognised by INEC, a major blow for a party that has recently attracted heightened public attention as a possible coalition platform for opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.

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ADC Leadership Crisis Raises Fresh Questions Ahead of 2027

The ADC crisis is unfolding at a critical period in Nigeria’s political calendar. With the 2027 election cycle already gathering pace and INEC’s revised timetable placing party primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, any unresolved leadership battle could severely weaken the party’s ability to organise, mobilise, and present a united front.

The party’s internal turmoil has also fuelled wider political commentary, especially because the ADC has been linked in recent months to broader opposition conversations involving major political actors seeking a viable platform outside the ruling party. That makes the question of who legitimately controls the party more than a technical dispute, it could shape strategic alignments ahead of the next general election.

Nafiu Bala Says Attendance Did Not Mean Endorsement

Bala used his statement to firmly distance himself from the interpretation that his presence at the July 2025 event amounted to support for David Mark’s emergence.

He insisted that his attendance, as well as his prior engagements with coalition partners between April 2024 and July 2025, should not be misconstrued as approval of what he called an irregular appointment process. Instead, he said he was simply present at a meeting that later deviated from its expected agenda.

By making that distinction, Bala appears to be attempting both a political and legal repositioning, separating himself from the disputed transition while reinforcing his arguement that the process that produced the Mark-led interim leadership lacked constitutional legitimacy. That distinction may prove important as the party’s factions continue to battle for recognition and control.

What This Means for ADC’s Future

For now, the ADC remains trapped in a leadership vacuum. INEC’s refusal to recognise either faction means the party faces a serious institutional challenge at a time when political parties are expected to be preparing for primaries and strategic alliances.

Nafiu Bala’s latest comments may satisfy supporters who questioned his appearance in the viral video, but they are unlikely to end the wider dispute. Instead, they add another layer to an already volatile contest over legitimacy, procedure, and control inside the ADC.

Unless the crisis is resolved through the courts, party organs, or a negotiated political settlement, the ADC risks losing momentum just when opposition politics in Nigeria is entering a decisive phase. For many observers, the bigger question now is no longer just why Nafiu Bala attended the unveiling, it is whether the ADC can survive its internal battle long enough to remain relevant in the 2027 race.

FAQ: Nafiu Bala, ADC Crisis, David Mark and INEC Derecognition

1. Why was Nafiu Bala at David Mark’s ADC unveiling?

Nafiu Bala said he attended the July 2025 ADC meeting where David Mark emerged as interim leader, but insisted the gathering was not meant to appoint new leaders. According to him, the meeting changed unexpectedly when former ADC chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu announced his resignation and immediately named David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as acting leaders. Bala said his attendance should not be interpreted as endorsement.

2. Did Nafiu Bala support David Mark’s appointment in ADC?

Based on his April 7, 2026 statement, Nafiu Bala says no. He stated clearly that there was no formal vote or consensus and that several members of the ADC National Working Committee were surprised by the move. He argues that David Mark’s emergence was irregular and unconstitutional.

3. What did Nafiu Bala say about David Mark in ADC?

Nafiu Bala claimed that David Mark was “imposed” on the party. He said former ADC chairman Ralph Nwosu acted outside the party’s constitution by unilaterally naming David Mark as acting national chairman.

4. Why did INEC derecognise both ADC factions?

INEC said it would no longer recognise the factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala after reviewing a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership dispute. The decision means the electoral commission currently does not recognise any leadership structure in the ADC.

5. Is the ADC currently derecognised by INEC?

Not exactly as a party, but its rival leadership factions are not currently recognised by INEC. Reports indicate INEC removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal and said it would not recognise either faction pending compliance with the court ruling.

6. Who is Nafiu Bala in ADC?

Nafiu Bala is a factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Viral footage from July 2025 also reportedly showed him being introduced at the unveiling event as ADC deputy national chairman (intergovernmental affairs) before the internal crisis deepened.

7. Why is Nafiu Bala trending in Nigeria?

Nafiu Bala is trending because viral videos showed him at the event where David Mark was unveiled as ADC interim leader, despite later becoming a rival factional chairman. His new statement explaining the video, combined with INEC’s derecognition of both factions, pushed his name back into the spotlight.

8. What is the ADC leadership crisis about?

The ADC leadership crisis centres on who legally controls the party. One faction is linked to David Mark, while another is led by Nafiu Bala. The dispute intensified after the July 2025 leadership transition and later moved into legal and regulatory territory, with INEC stepping in after the Court of Appeal judgment.

9. Did the ADC constitution allow David Mark’s appointment?

According to Nafiu Bala, no. He cited Articles 8(2) and 9(4) of the ADC Constitution (2022, as amended), arguing that an outgoing national chairman does not have the authority to appoint a successor unilaterally.

10. Who announced David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as ADC leaders?

Nafiu Bala said it was Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, the then national chairman of the ADC, who announced his resignation and then named David Mark as acting national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.

11. What role did viral videos play in the ADC crisis?

The viral videos reignited public scrutiny because they appeared to show Nafiu Bala present and seated among key stakeholders at the event where David Mark’s leadership emerged. Critics questioned whether Bala had originally backed the process he later challenged.

12. What happens next for ADC after INEC’s decision?

The ADC may need to:

• Seek judicial clarification or further court relief
• Conduct a fresh constitutionally compliant leadership process
• Reach an internal political settlement
• Secure renewed recognition from INEC

Without a resolution, the party risks entering the 2027 cycle with weakened legitimacy and organisational uncertainty.

13. Can ADC still participate in the 2027 elections?

The party can remain politically active, but unresolved leadership disputes could seriously affect candidate nominations, primaries, and official dealings with INEC if not resolved before critical deadlines.

14. Why is this ADC crisis important for 2027 politics?

The ADC has increasingly been discussed as a potential platform for opposition realignment or coalition politics ahead of the 2027 elections. A leadership vacuum could undermine those plans and weaken its role in national politics.