INEC has declared it will not recognise either faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following a March 12 Appeal Court ruling that refused to validate either group. The crisis began in July 2025 when Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu resigned as national chairman during a National Executive Committee meeting, appointing Senator David Mark as interim leader and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola as secretary. Nafiu Bala, deputy national chairman, claimed the move violated the party's 2022 constitution, specifically Articles 8(2) and 9(4), which bar outgoing chairmen from appointing successors. Bala insisted the appointments were irregular and unconstitutional, while Nwosu's faction argued Bala had resigned earlier via a May 17 letter—though Bala denied this.
The feud escalated to court, with Bala filing a case at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 2, seeking to block Mark's leadership. The court declined an ex parte application but ordered all parties to maintain the status quo. A March 12 Appeal Court order directed INEC to cease recognising Mark and Aregbesola, removing their names from the party's portal. However, INEC also refused to recognise Bala's faction, leaving the party in limbo. On April 2, Mark's group held a press conference, accusing INEC of overreach and bias, alleging the commission was enabling a one-party agenda ahead of 2027.
Nafiu Bala's claim that Ralph Nwosu's resignation violated ADC's constitution exposes a party more interested in legal technicalities than unity. If Bala's faction cannot produce a single valid document proving his resignation, the party's credibility crumbles before Nigerians who expect coherence from opposition groups.
