ADC Crisis: Nafiu Bala Extends Olive Branch to Atiku, David Mark

Factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala Gombe, has called for reconciliation with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark and other party leaders following a court judgment in the party’s leadership dispute.

Bala, who spoke on BBC Hausa on Saturday, said the judgment had affirmed his faction’s position as the authentic leadership of the ADC, arguing that the court’s decision vindicated his insistence on compliance with the party’s constitution.

He said his faction was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before approaching the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to update the party’s leadership records.

Despite the legal victory, Bala said he had no intention of using the judgment to antagonise members of the opposing faction, stressing the need for unity among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He urged Atiku, Mark and other ADC stakeholders to embrace reconciliation, saying the party needed collective efforts to strengthen the opposition and challenge the ruling government.

Bala maintained that membership and leadership eligibility within the ADC must be governed by its constitution, particularly provisions relating to ward registration, payment of membership dues and the requirements for occupying leadership positions.

According to him, the party’s constitution requires members to fulfil stipulated conditions, including two years of membership and payment of prescribed dues, before becoming eligible for leadership positions.

He accused the opposing faction of failing to comply with the party’s registration procedures, alleging that Mark obtained his membership card in Abuja from a former national chairman rather than registering through his ward.

The factional leader said he had repeatedly warned the opposing group about the consequences of disregarding the party’s constitutional provisions but that his concerns were ignored.

Bala also dismissed allegations that he was being sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise the opposition, insisting that his court action was motivated by the need to protect his rights and uphold the ADC constitution.

“I went to court with only the constitution,” he said, maintaining that the legal dispute was not intended to undermine opposition politics.

On the continued appearance of Atiku and Mark on INEC’s portal, Bala said the commission would act in accordance with the law once it received the certified judgment.

He rejected claims that INEC was deliberately delaying implementation, suggesting that the commission might not yet have obtained the official court documents.

Bala further argued that the popularity and financial influence of political leaders should not be used as grounds for disregarding constitutional procedures, saying the country could not progress if influential individuals continued to violate established rules.

He also dismissed claims that he had resigned from his position, describing documents allegedly circulated by some individuals involved in the dispute as misleading.

Speaking on his relationship with Atiku, Bala described the former vice-president as a father figure, noting that they shared the same geopolitical zone.

However, he expressed disappointment that Atiku had not personally contacted him amid the controversy, despite some party leaders portraying him as an obstacle to the opposition.

Bala said his faction had advised ADC aspirants to continue their political activities while urging members of the opposing camp to remain patient and comply with the party’s registration procedures.

On funding, he said his faction relied mainly on membership dues and contributions from internal party activities, while defending his personal security arrangements and lifestyle as legitimate.

He also called on Nigerian youths to remain peaceful and law-abiding, warning against being drawn into political confrontations.

Bala stressed that opposition politics should be conducted with respect for democratic institutions, constitutional provisions and the rule of law.