A leadership dispute has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with a faction of the party escalating the matter to the United States Embassy in Abuja over what it describes as an attempt to unlawfully seize control of the party.
The group, led by Nafiu Bala, has formally petitioned the embassy, calling for sanctions—including visa restrictions—against individuals allegedly involved in what it termed an unconstitutional takeover of the ADC leadership structure.
In the petition, Bala identified himself as the party’s legitimate National Chairman and accused certain members of bypassing constitutional procedures to assume leadership positions. He warned that the development poses a threat not only to the party’s internal democracy but also to broader democratic principles in Nigeria.
According to Bala, the crisis followed the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu and other members of the National Working Committee. He argued that, based on the party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman is required to step in when the chairman’s position becomes vacant.
He maintained that as the only Deputy National Chairman who did not resign, he was constitutionally mandated to take over leadership of the party.
However, Bala alleged that his emergence has been obstructed by external political interests seeking to control the ADC. He claimed that individuals from other political parties are interfering in the party’s affairs in a bid to install their own leadership outside established procedures.
The faction revealed that the dispute is already before the courts, accusing its opponents of relying on propaganda rather than legal channels to press their claims.
Bala also rejected allegations that his group is backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the ruling All Progressives Congress, describing such claims as false and misleading.
In its appeal to the United States, the faction urged close monitoring of the situation and requested decisive action if the alleged unconstitutional takeover succeeds. It specifically called for the withdrawal of privileges typically extended to democratic leaders, including visa access and diplomatic recognition.
The group stated that its petition is intended to defend democratic values within the party and ensure adherence to constitutional processes, warning that failure to address the situation could undermine confidence in internal party democracy in Nigeria.
