Abuja Venue Left Deserted as Nafiu Bala ADC Faction Convention Fails to Materialize

The Nafiu Bala led faction of the ADC saw its Abuja convention collapse on Tuesday with no delegates or members present at the National Stadium.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 8:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

A Deserted Venue Signals Escalating Internal Party Strife

The leadership struggle within the African Democratic Congress reached a public nadir on Tuesday when a high profile national convention failed to commence at the National Stadium in Abuja. Organized by the faction loyal to Nafiu Bala, the event was intended to consolidate his claim to the party chairmanship. However, eyewitness accounts and live media reports described a completely empty Velodrome, with no delegates, party officials, or even basic preparations in place. The lack of activity at the designated site has raised significant questions regarding the logistical viability and membership support of the Bala led camp.

Parallel Factions Struggle for Control of ADC Machinery

The current paralysis is the result of an intense power struggle between Bala’s faction and a rival group supported by former Senate President David Mark. Both factions are vying for control of the party’s administrative machinery in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. This division has manifested in parallel conventions and conflicting directives, leaving the party’s rank and file in a state of confusion. The failure of the Tuesday gathering serves as a visible indicator of the organizational fractures that have hampered the party’s ability to function as a unified political entity.

Legal Challenges and the March Appellate Ruling

At the heart of the dispute is a March 12, 2026, Court of Appeal judgment that Nafiu Bala claims validates his leadership. Bala has consistently maintained that any party actions taken outside the scope of this ruling are legally invalid. He previously dismissed a convention held by the David Mark camp as a breach of the party’s constitution, alleging that his rivals attempted to illegally restructure the ADC and forge official documents. Despite these claims of legal legitimacy, the inability to populate his own convention suggests a disconnect between Bala's judicial standing and his operational control.