The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensified on Thursday as a faction of the party led by Nafiu Bala announced the suspension of 15 prominent members, including a former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, over alleged anti-party activities.
The development was disclosed in a statement released on Friday, December 19, in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Hon. Leke Abejide, Bashiru Abdul Mohammed.
According to the statement, the six-month suspension affects Nwosu and other notable party figures, including Balarabe Rufai, Ibrahim Mani, Dr Bamidele Ajadi, Dr Chike Okogwu, Anayo Arinze, Kenneth Gbandi, Said Abdullahi, Ms Hauwa Musa, Nkem Ukandu, Peters Oyewole, Dr Peter Edeh, Prince Festus Igbinoba, and Razak Eyiwuawi.
The decision, the faction said, was taken at a regular meeting of the party’s National Working Committee and subsequently conveyed to the public through a statement issued in Abuja.
Alleged Anti-Party Activities
Explaining the action, the factional National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, accused the affected members of engaging in activities capable of undermining the unity and orderly administration of the party.
He said, “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.”
Bala added that the suspensions were carried out in line with the party’s constitution.
“As a result, the NWC has collectively approved the suspension of the following members for six (6) months, pursuant to Article 15(a) of the party constitution,” he stated.
The Bala-led NWC also disowned what it described as illegal and unauthorised congresses allegedly being organised by some party members across states of the federation.
“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 statement read.
It added, “The NWC hereby declares these congresses null, void and of no effect whatsoever. All party members and the general public are directed to ignore and discard the proceedings and outcomes of these unauthorised congresses.”
Fresh Appointments Announced
Naijaonpoint reports that beyond the suspensions, the factional NWC announced a series of new appointments aimed at strengthening the party’s administrative and operational structure.
Prominent among the appointments is the naming of Kogi State federal lawmaker, Hon. Leke Abejide, as Chairman, Board of Patrons, a position the party said was conferred on him due to his status as a ranking elected official of the ADC.
Other appointments include Bala Sani as Chief of Staff to the National Chairman; Abimiku Monday as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication; Muhammad Aboki as Director of Youth Mobilisation; Bello Shehu as Director of Finance; and Rabiu Mohammed as Administrative Secretary.
The latest actions have further deepened internal tensions within the ADC, as rival factions continue to trade claims of legitimacy amid an unresolved leadership tussle that has continued to unsettle the party’s structure nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.