The internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a sharper turn on Thursday as the Nafiu Bala-led faction announced the suspension of 15 high-ranking members, including former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, over allegations of anti-party activities.
The leadership rift, which continues to divide the opposition party, saw the National Working Committee (NWC) impose a six-month suspension on Nwosu and 14 other prominent figures, including Balarabe Rufai, Ibrahim Mani, Dr. Bamidele Ajadi, and Kenneth Gbandi, among others.
In a statement released following a regular NWC meeting in Abuja, Bala accused the group of undermining the party’s stability. He stated:
“The NWC has observed that some party members have engaged in anti-party activities with coalition members, causing disaffection among party members and disrupting the peaceful coexistence of party faithful and the efficient conduct of party business. As a result, the NWC has collectively approved the suspension of the following members for six months, pursuant to Article 15(a) of the party constitution.”
The factional leadership also moved to invalidate various state-level activities organised by the rival group, declaring:
“The NWC has noted that certain unauthorised individuals are organising special ward, local government, and state congresses, claiming to act on behalf of the party. The NWC declares these congresses null, void, and of no effect whatsoever. All party members and the public are directed to ignore and discard the proceedings and outcomes of these unauthorised congresses.”
Amid the disciplinary actions, the Bala faction approved several new administrative appointments. Most notably, Kogi State federal lawmaker, Leke Abejide, was named Chairman of the Board of Patrons. Other appointments included Bala Sani as Chief of Staff and Abimiku Monday as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication.
According to the statement: “All appointees are to assume duties immediately and are expected to collect their appointment letters and further instructions at the party’s National Headquarters.”
Furthermore, the NWC established a committee to oversee the Osun State governorship primary, led by Dr. Rufus Ikanmi. Reiterating the faction’s commitment to order, Bala noted:
“All official announcements regarding party congresses will be made through the ADC’s authorised communication channels. All appointments take immediate effect, and appointees are expected to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and professionalism.”
The appointment of Abejide is particularly significant as it directly contradicts a move made two weeks ago by a rival faction led by former Senate President, David Mark, which had ratified Abejide’s expulsion. That faction, supported by the Kogi State chapter, had previously petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare Abejide’s seat vacant.
At the time, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the Mark-led faction, reaffirmed what he described as the party’s “zero-tolerance posture on internal misconduct.”
As both sides continue to issue conflicting directives, the latest round of suspensions and appointments underscores a deepening struggle for control of the ADC, raising questions about the party’s legal legitimacy ahead of future electoral cycles.