ADC Crisis: Bala Faction Writes INEC to Sack Mark, Aregbesola

The leadership struggle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reached a breaking point as the faction led by Nafiu Bala formally petitioned INEC to seize control of the party.

In a letter to the commission, Bala demanded the removal of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and Secretary.

This escalation follows a legal victory for Bala, after the court dismissed an appeal by Mark against a High Court ruling that challenged the current leadership.

Bala, a former Deputy National Chairman, maintained he is the rightful successor following the resignation of previous chairman Ralph Nwosu.

On September 4, 2025, Justice Nwite had dismissed an ex parte motion filed by Bala, which sought an order compelling INEC to withdraw recognition of Mark and Aregbesola as the party’s leaders.

The court ordered both Mark and Aregbesola to “show cause” as to why the requested reliefs should not be granted, effectively placing them on notice.

In response, Mark filed an appeal on September 18, 2025, contesting the ruling on several grounds, including a challenge to the court’s jurisdiction.

However, the Court of Appeal delivered a decisive blow on Tuesday by striking out the appeal (CA/ABJ/145/2026).

The court labeled the filing “procedurally incompetent,” noting it was an interlocutory decision filed without the mandatory leave of court.

Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, presiding over the appellate court, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive suit at the Federal High Court is resolved.

Following the ruling, Nafiu Bala reportedly approached INEC to seek official recognition as the ADC’s National Chairman.

Meanwhile, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru dismissed the ADC’s internal turmoil, labeling claims of APC or Presidency interference as “irresponsible” and “wild.”

He urged the party to resolve its internal disputes rather than shifting blame.

“The Presidency and the APC are not parties to the suit in court. It was David Mark who approached the Court of Appeal, and the court ruled that the status quo ante bellum should be maintained. One would expect any law-abiding organisation to respect the order of the court.”