JUST IN: David Mark-led ADC Expels Nafiu Bala Over ‘Anti-Party Activities’

By Tgnews Reporter

In a dramatic escalation of the lingering leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the faction led by former Senate President Senator David Mark on Tuesday expelled Nafiu Bala Gombe, who has been laying claim to the position of national chairman of the party.

The expulsion was announced and ratified during the party’s national convention held in Abuja on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Delegates at the convention overwhelmingly approved the decision following a motion moved by Senator Binos Yaroe, representing Adamawa South.

Nafiu Bala, who has positioned himself as the factional national chairman, was accused of engaging in activities considered detrimental to the unity and progress of the party.

Other notable figures reportedly affected by similar disciplinary actions include House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, Kenneth Ehiator, Stella Chukwu, and Elias Adiukwu.

A statement issued after the convention described the move as necessary to sanitise the party and enforce discipline.

“The ADC will not tolerate any form of anti-party activities from any member, no matter how highly placed,” a source close to the Mark-led leadership told journalists.

The development comes amid a protracted legal battle over the control of the ADC. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier withdrawn recognition from both the David Mark-led faction and the group associated with Nafiu Bala following a Court of Appeal judgment that ordered a return to the status quo ante.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal filed by the Mark-led faction seeking to stay the execution of the appellate court’s ruling.

Despite the ongoing litigation and INEC’s position, the Mark-led group proceeded with its national convention, insisting that the exercise was legitimate and aimed at strengthening the party structure ahead of future elections.

The crisis in the ADC dates back to mid-2025 when a coalition of opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, aligned with Senator David Mark to take over the party’s leadership.

Nafiu Bala, who had earlier served as deputy national chairman under former chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, later challenged the legitimacy of the new leadership, leading to multiple court cases and parallel claims of authority.

The Mark-led faction has consistently maintained that Bala was previously expelled from the party in his home state of Gombe over similar allegations of anti-party conduct and has no valid claim to any national position.

They released video footage showing Bala in attendance at the July 2025 event where David Mark was unveiled as national chairman, accusing him of inconsistency and opportunism.

Nafiu Bala and his supporters have rejected the latest expulsion, describing it as illegal and of no effect since, according to them, the Mark-led group lacks the constitutional authority to act on behalf of the party. Bala has led separate protests to INEC demanding recognition as the authentic chairman.

The ADC, which many had hoped would serve as a formidable platform for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, now faces deepening divisions that threaten its relevance.

The outcome of the Supreme Court case and INEC’s eventual stance could prove decisive in determining which group ultimately controls the party’s structure and symbol.