ADC expels factional chairman, Nafiu Bala, Reps member, Abejide, others at convention

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has plunged deeper into internal crisis after it announced the expulsion of its former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, alongside a sitting member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, and several other party figures during its national convention in Abuja.

The dramatic decision was made on Tuesday at the party’s convention held at the Rainbow Event Centre, amid heavy security presence and rising tensions over competing claims to the party’s leadership structure.

Also expelled were Kenneth Ehiator, Stella Chukwu and Elias Adiukwu, as the party moved to consolidate control following months of factional battles and parallel claims to authority within its ranks.

The convention, however, was overshadowed by a prolonged leadership crisis involving Nafiu Bala, who has consistently insisted that he remains the legitimate national chairman of the ADC. Abejide, a federal lawmaker, had publicly aligned with Bala and was among those who previously stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, demanding recognition of Bala as party leader.

In a decisive move, the convention also ratified a new National Working Committee led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark. The structure includes Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Babachir Lawal as Deputy National Chairman (North-East), and Bolaji Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary, among others.

Speaking after the convention, party officials said the ADC would immediately notify the Independent National Electoral Commission and begin preparations for its primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Chairman of the convention’s media sub-committee, Kola Ologbondiyan, insisted the party had fully complied with legal requirements for the exercise.

“What we would do now is to submit the report, having notified INEC earlier,” he said, adding that the party had met the statutory 21-day notice requirement.

Ologbondiyan also dismissed concerns about INEC’s absence at the event, arguing that notification alone was sufficient under electoral law.

However, the convention itself was not without controversy, with party insiders claiming that attempts were made to halt the gathering in the hours leading up to it. Despite this, delegates and top figures insisted the event proceeded as planned.

Following the emergence of the new leadership, sources within the party disclosed that attention is now shifting toward the selection of a presidential candidate, with expectations of intense negotiations among major political actors.

Prominent names already linked to the ADC include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors and opposition figures, as well as reports suggesting interest from former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

At the convention, Senator David Mark described the ADC’s internal struggle as a “generational challenge,” insisting the party was determined to reposition itself as a national rescue platform.

“Our objective is not merely political success or a mere quest for power,” he said. “We view it as a duty… to demonstrate to all Nigerians that something good can come out of politics.”

He alleged that the party faced sustained resistance ahead of the convention, including legal and institutional obstacles, but insisted those efforts only strengthened its resolve.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, also speaking at the event, declared that the ADC was prepared for a political “battle,” warning that the struggle for change would continue beyond the convention.

“We are going to win,” he said, while also accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission of undermining democratic processes.

Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s new National Secretary, delivered one of the most controversial speeches, calling for sweeping political change and directly criticising the current administration, including a call for President Bola Tinubu to resign over insecurity and economic hardship.

“We are here because the ADC is on a rescue mission,” he said, accusing the ruling party of deepening national suffering and mismanaging governance.

Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, also issued a stern warning to the judiciary, urging judges not to allow themselves to be used to undermine democracy.

Meanwhile, legal battles continue to trail the party’s leadership dispute. A Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned indefinitely a case filed by Nafiu Bala challenging the legitimacy of the David Mark-led executive, citing an ongoing appeal before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has now fixed April 22 for hearing an appeal connected to the bitter internal struggle, keeping the ADC’s leadership crisis firmly in the judicial spotlight.

Despite the legal and political storm, party leaders maintain that the convention marks a turning point, insisting the ADC is now positioned for full participation in the 2027 general elections.