A new wave of internal tension has engulfed the African Democratic Congress as a faction loyal to the factional National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, has issued a strong warning to prominent Nigerian political leaders such as Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi, and Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, cautioning them against what it described as attempts to forcefully take control of the party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Okay News reports that the alarm was raised on Thursday by the African Democratic Congress Board of Trustees, which not only condemned the alleged interference but also reaffirmed its confidence in Bala’s leadership. The trustees dismissed the David Mark–led coalition as an illegal coordination team propped up by a rival group.
During a press briefing held in Abuja, the Board of Trustees Secretary, Chief Rufus Ekenmi, expressed strong displeasure over what he termed infiltration by unauthorised actors.
According to him, it had become necessary to alert the public about “an attempt by some individuals who illegally sneaked into the party in the name of a coalition, infesting the African Democratic Congress with the political spirit of insubordination.”
He added, “The Board of Trustees of the African Democratic Congress has observed with no little misgiving that there is an attempt 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 (Senior Advocate of Nigeria), Babachir Lawal, Emeka Ihedioha, Liyel Imoke, and others, which is illegal and condemnable.”
The statement was delivered on Ekenmi’s behalf by Board of Trustees member Abdulmumeeni Ibraheem, who described the coalition figures as “politicians with a high propensity for impatience.”
The faction urged Bala to activate a disciplinary panel capable of sanctioning any African Democratic Congress member who maintains formal contact with the individuals listed.
Responding to the endorsement from the trustees, Bala pledged to uphold the party constitution and run an administration grounded in fairness. He accused the rival coalition of violating the African Democratic Congress constitution by operating from a separate headquarters.
“I must state unequivocally that our party constitution unambiguously stipulates that only registered members in good standing are entitled to party privileges, including access to official premises,” Bala said, insisting that the opposing bloc had “circumvented the rules governing party operations, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution.”
He also faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission for recognising David Mark as chairman despite lacking registered membership in the party. Bala noted that the dispute was now before the Federal High Court.
The development comes barely seventy-two hours after the David Mark faction unveiled a new national headquarters in Abuja, a building previously used for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign. Spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi downplayed the significance of the building takeover, saying, “Atiku used to be the tenant of this building. But his tenancy has lapsed. The African Democratic Congress is now the tenant of this building. This is not an indication of anything.”
He insisted that the coalition structure remains unchanged and confirmed that Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai are expected to “come back fully” after the upcoming Anambra Governorship Election.
The crisis within the African Democratic Congress intensified in August after Nafiu Bala announced himself as National Chairman, giving rise to a prolonged leadership battle that has now set the stage for a fierce internal contest as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
