Internal Crisis Within African Democratic Congress Escalates as Factional Leader Nafiu Bala Denounces Purported Resignation as Forgery

Nafiu Bala claims his ADC resignation letter was forged, as INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan defends the commission's neutral stance in the David Mark dispute.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 10:11 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Business Hallmark

Allegations of Document Forgery Surrounding Leadership Transitions

The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress reached a new level of volatility on Friday as Nafiu Bala, a central figure in the party's factional dispute, publicly denied resigning his position. Bala asserted that a document circulating online, which claims he stepped down as National Vice Chairman in May 2025, is a complete forgery. In a video message released to clarify his stance, he insisted that the signature on the document was not his and that the letter did not originate from his office. According to Obinna Ezugwu, this development has further complicated the already fractured administrative structure of the opposition party.

The Narrative of Succession and the July Convention

Bala maintains that his transition to the role of acting national chairman was a transparent process following the resignation of the party’s long-standing leader, Ralph Nwosu. He claims that Nwosu, along with the former secretary and other executives, stepped down during a public political event held on July 2, 2025. According to Bala, it was during this event that he was designated to run the affairs of the party until a formal national convention could be organized. He argued that under the party’s constitution, the deputy or vice chairman automatically assumes leadership in the event of a vacuum, justifying his current claim to the chairmanship.

Commission Denies Partisanship Amid Judicial Constraints

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, has dismissed allegations from the David Mark led faction that the commission is acting in favor of the ruling party. During a television interview, Amupitan explained that the decision to withdraw recognition from all factions was a direct response to a Court of Appeal order to maintain the status quo ante bellum. He clarified that the commission’s primary objective is to avoid certifying a leadership structure that could later be invalidated by a court of law. This "early warning" approach is intended to protect the integrity of future elections and prevent legal complications for winning candidates.