Convention: Mark-led ADC expels Bala, Abejide, eight others

The African Democratic Congress, under the leadership of David Mark, has expelled its factional chairman, Nafiu Bala, alongside Leke Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, over alleged anti-party activities.

At the party’s convention in Abuja on Tuesday, which drew over 3,000 participants and was themed “So That Nigeria May Work,” the ADC also announced the expulsion of several other members, including Kingsley Temitope, Noman Obinna, Kennedy Odion, Stella Chukwuma, and four others.

According to the party, the affected individuals were expelled over allegations of anti-party conduct and attempts to sow confusion and destabilise the party.

The motion for their expulsion was moved by Binos Yaroe, who represents Adamawa South Senatorial District, and seconded by Abdussamad Dasuki, the member representing Kebbi/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

On April 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the removal of key African Democratic Congress figures, including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, from its official register, stating that the action was taken in compliance with a court directive to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the matter at the trial court.

ADVERTISEMENT

The party has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis since 2025, following the emergence of a new National Working Committee under Mark’s leadership in July.

The dispute originated from disagreements over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, which officially ended in August 2022. While Nwosu was reportedly aligned with a 2025 transition arrangement, his deputy, Nafiu Bala, maintained that he should assume the role of acting chairman after Nwosu’s exit.

The disagreement later escalated into factional struggles for control of the party, leading to multiple legal disputes at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and raising questions about the party’s readiness for the 2027 elections. In response, Mark, on April 2, called for the resignation of Amupitan and insisted that the party would continue with its planned activities.

In a related development, a faction backed by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, last week in Abuja announced a caretaker committee during a National Executive Committee meeting convened by some state chairmen.

As a result, the party is now divided into three factions: one led by Mark representing the coalition bloc, another led by Bala, and a NEC-backed group aligned with Kachikwu and headed by Kingsley Ogga.

Despite these internal developments, the Mark-led African Democratic Congress proceeded with its national convention.