ADC: ‘I was tricked’ – Nafiu Bala denies backing David Mark’s takeover

Factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Nafiu Bala, has claimed he was misled into attending an event that ultimately resulted in a leadership change within the party.

Speaking during on AIT News, Bala responded to reports that he was present when former Senate President David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola were unveiled as the party’s interim National Chairman and Secretary.

According to him, he had been invited under the impression that the July 2025 gathering was simply meant to formally welcome new coalition members into the ADC, an initiative led by former chairman Ralph Nwosu.

However, he said the event turned out to be something entirely different.

“I was lured into attending what became the handover ceremony to David Mark. Ralph had told me it was only about admitting new members into the coalition.

“But that same day, Nwosu stepped down and immediately announced David Mark along with other members of the executive,” Bala explained.

Bala, who was serving as the party’s Deputy National Chairman at the time, said he only became aware of the true purpose of the event after it had already started.

He insisted that he had no foreknowledge of any leadership change and did not approve of the process.

When questioned about why he did not immediately challenge the development or seek legal redress, Bala said he first engaged in extensive consultations before submitting his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the acting National Chairman.

He further revealed that INEC later informed him that he had supposedly resigned from his position as Deputy National Chairman—an action he denies and describes as part of the alleged deception.

“Within a week, we began holding meetings. The remaining members of the NWC and NEC consulted widely across the country before making any move.

“After these consultations, I wrote to INEC, still in my capacity as Deputy National Chairman and with the backing of the remaining NWC, declaring that I had assumed office as the legitimate acting National Chairman of the party.

“Following that process, we proceeded to court,” Bala stated.