A faction of the African Democratic Congress has accused prominent opposition figures of attempting to take control of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The warning came on Thursday from the party’s Board of Trustees, which reaffirmed its support for factional National Chairman Nafiu Bala and dismissed the David Mark-led coalition as an “illegal structure.”
Briefing journalists in Abuja, BoT Secretary Chief Rufus Ekenmi—represented by member Abdulmumeeni Ibraheem—said the party had uncovered a plot by several political leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others, to “hijack” the ADC under the guise of a coalition.
“The Board of Trustees has observed, with serious concern, an attempt by these individuals to take over the party, which is illegal and unacceptable,” Ekenmi said, describing the group as politicians “with a high propensity for impatience.”
The BoT also directed Bala to activate a disciplinary committee to sanction any member collaborating with the coalition leaders, saying the ADC would “not condone lawlessness.”
Responding to his endorsement, Bala pledged to uphold the ADC constitution and accused the coalition of violating party rules by operating from a parallel headquarters. He argued that only duly registered members could access party privileges and faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission for recognising Mark as chairman despite his alleged non-membership.
“The situation remains fluid as stakeholders await a Federal High Court ruling on INEC’s recognition of the Mark leadership,” Bala said.
However, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed the faction’s claims, insisting the party would not engage in “unnecessary debates” about factionalism. He also downplayed speculation surrounding the coalition’s recent inauguration of a new national secretariat in Abuja—a building previously used as Atiku’s campaign office—saying the development held no political significance.
Internal tensions within the ADC have escalated since August, when Bala declared himself National Chairman, deepening a leadership struggle that continues to divide the party ahead of next year’s congresses and the 2027 polls.