Nafi'u Bala, a factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared that under his leadership, no individual above the age of 55 would be eligible to contest for any party position. He made the statement in an interview with BBC Hausa, asserting that due process must govern membership and leadership within the party. Bala emphasized that Article 9 of the ADC constitution outlines clear procedures for membership, and that receiving a membership card at an event does not confer official status or leadership rights. He accused individuals of infiltrating the party without following constitutional processes, calling such actions violations of party rules. Bala denied that his attendance at a recent political gathering signified endorsement of David Mark as party leader, stating his presence was to support those adopting the ADC as a platform to challenge the current administration. He claimed court rulings have upheld his leadership position, citing a dismissed appeal and a N2 million fine imposed on opponents. Election preparations, he said, are ongoing under his leadership, with aims to win at all levels.
Nafi'u Bala's declaration that no one over 55 should contest under the ADC is less a generational reform and more a tactical recalibration in a deeply fractured party. By anchoring his eligibility rule to youth inclusion, Bala positions himself as a reformer, yet the move coincides with his legal and political battle to consolidate control—suggesting the age limit may serve as both a rallying cry and a weapon against older rivals.
The ADC has long struggled with internal legitimacy, and Bala's insistence on Article 9 of the party constitution comes at a time when rival factions are also claiming adherence to due process. His reference to non-members being handed cards at events points to a broader crisis in Nigerian party politics, where party switching and mass registrations have become tools for hijacking structures. The court's dismissal of an appeal and imposition of a N2 million fine lend Bala legal weight, but judicial validation does not always translate into grassroots acceptance.
Ordinary ADC members and aspiring young politicians now face a party landscape where eligibility hinges on both constitutionalism and shifting factional calculations. If Bala's rule is applied, it could exclude seasoned politicians but also risk alienating a segment of the party's existing base.
This episode reflects a recurring pattern in Nigeria's opposition parties: leadership disputes masked as ideological or structural reforms, where procedural arguments often serve immediate political survival.
