The section of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by the party’s former governorship candidate in Gombe state, Nafiu Bala, disputed claims to its leadership by former Senate President David Mark on Thursday, calling them “unfounded” and a clear breach of the party constitution.
In a statement issued by Dr Aminu Alhassan, Bala’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, the ADC faction emphasised that only genuine party members can seek leadership posts.
He said, “In light of the resignation of Chief Ralph Nwosu, it has come to our attention that certain individuals, notably David Mark and his associates, have attempted to assert claims of leadership that are not only unfounded but also contrary to the principles and constitution of our party.
“First and foremost, it is essential to clarify that the resignation of Chief Ralph Nwosu did not create a free-for-all scenario within the ADC. Instead, it has opened a necessary dialogue regarding the future of our leadership, a dialogue that must be conducted within the framework established by our party’s constitution.
“The ADC’s constitution is unequivocal in stipulating that any individual seeking to assume a leadership role must first be a bona fide member of the party. This fundamental requirement cannot be overlooked or circumvented by any means.
“In accordance with the ADC’s constitution, the appropriate procedure for filling the leadership vacuum left by Chief Nwosu’s departure is through a National Executive Council meeting.”
The party recognised Alhaji Nafiu as its lawful National Chairman, urging members to remain calm and unified.
He also expressed confidence in INEC’s ability to preserve constitutional and democratic standards in political party operations.
He added, “This meeting will serve as the legitimate forum for deliberating on the way forward and will be followed by ratification at subsequent levels of party convention. It is here that we will ensure that our party’s leadership is determined by those who are genuinely committed to the ideals and objectives of the ADC.
“We would like to emphasise that there is no provision in the Independent National Electoral Commission regulations, the Federal Constitution, or the ADC’s constitution that permits an individual to assume leadership without fulfilling the requisite criteria of membership and democratic process.
“The actions being taken by David Mark and his cohort are not only a misinterpretation of our party’s governance structure but also a blatant disregard for the democratic principles that the ADC stands for.
“To our loyal and dedicated members, we urge you to remain calm and focused during this time of transition. The progress we have made as a party is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our genuine members.
“We must not allow ourselves to be distracted or disheartened by the antics of those who seek to disrupt our unity and progress. The ADC is a party built on the foundations of integrity, accountability, and democratic values, and we must collectively uphold these principles.
“As we navigate this period, we also wish to reaffirm our confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission. We trust in its commitment to upholding constitutionalism and ensuring that the democratic processes within political parties are respected and adhered to. The ADC remains dedicated to collaborating with INEC to foster a political environment that is conducive to fair play and democratic engagement.
“In conclusion, we stand firmly behind Alhaji Nafiu as the legitimate National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding our party through this transitional phase, and we are confident that he will uphold the values that our members hold dear. We call on all genuine members of the ADC to rally behind Alhaji Nafiu and to work collectively towards the betterment of our party and the communities we serve.”
