A fresh crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections, as a faction loyal to factional National Chairman Nafiu Bala issued a stern warning to prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, against attempting to influence the party.
The warning came on Thursday from the ADC Board of Trustees (BoT), which also passed a vote of confidence in Bala and described the David Mark-led coalition as an illegal structure operating under a rival leadership.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, BoT Secretary Chief Rufus Ekenmi condemned what he described as “an attempt by some individuals who illegally sneaked into the party in the name of a coalition, infesting the ADC with the political spirit of insubordination.”
Ekenmi said, “The Board of Trustees has observed with concern attempts to hijack the party by the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, David Mark, El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Babachir Lawal, Emeka Ihedioha, Liyel Imoke, and others, which is illegal and condemnable.”
Represented by BoT member Abdulmumeeni Ibraheem, Ekenmi described the individuals as “politicians with a high propensity for impatience” and revealed that Bala has been mandated to activate a disciplinary committee to sanction any ADC member found interacting with the listed leaders. The BoT insisted that the party “will not condone any act of lawlessness by its members.”
Reacting to the endorsement, Bala pledged to uphold the party constitution and lead with fairness and objectivity. He also accused members of the coalition of violating the ADC constitution by operating from a parallel headquarters.
“I must state unequivocally that our party constitution stipulates that only registered members in good standing are entitled to party privileges, including access to official premises,” Bala said. “The rival group has circumvented the rules governing party operations, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution, undermining internal democracy.”
Bala also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognizing David Mark as ADC chairman despite him not being a registered member. “The situation remains fluid as stakeholders await a decision from the Federal High Court, which is currently challenging INEC’s recognition of Mark’s leadership,” he added.
National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, when contacted, declined to publicly engage with the Bala faction. “We don’t like engaging in this kind of conversation. In fact, we are not aware that any faction exists, and we don’t want to continue to give life to that story,” he said.
The new twist follows the inauguration of a new ADC national secretariat in Abuja by the Mark-led faction three days ago. Notably, Atiku and Obi—two of the coalition’s most prominent figures—were absent. The building, previously used as Atiku’s presidential campaign office, has now been taken over by the ADC.
Abdullahi dismissed claims that the development signaled a deeper realignment within the opposition. “Atiku used to be the tenant of this building, but his tenancy has lapsed.
The ADC is now the tenant. This is not an indication of anything,” he said, adding that the coalition’s structure remains unchanged and that Obi and El-Rufai are expected to “come back fully” following the conclusion of the Anambra governorship election.
Through his former campaign spokesman, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Obi said he would clarify his position only after the November 8 Anambra election, insisting he would not be rushed.
The internal wrangling within the ADC escalated in August when Nafiu Bala announced he had assumed office as National Chairman, intensifying the leadership tussle and deepening divisions within the party ahead of 2027.
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