The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) worsened on Thursday after the Nafiu Bala-led faction of the party announced the suspension of 15 prominent members, including former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, over alleged anti-party activities.
The six-month suspension, approved at what the faction described as a regular meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, was disclosed in a statement issued by the group.
Those suspended alongside Nwosu are 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 Bala faction accused the affected members of engaging in activities capable of undermining party unity and stability.
“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,” the statement read.
“As a result, the NWC has collectively approved the suspension of the following members for six months, pursuant to Article 15(a) of the party constitution.”
The factional leadership also disowned ongoing congresses allegedly being organised by rival elements across the country, declaring them illegal.
“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 said.
“The NWC declares these congresses null, void and of no effect whatsoever. All party members and the general public are hereby directed to ignore and discard the proceedings and outcomes of these unauthorised congresses.”
Beyond the suspensions, the Bala-led NWC announced several new appointments, which it said were aimed at strengthening the party’s administrative structure.
Among those appointed is a serving member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State, Leke Abejide, who was named Chairman of the Board of Patrons, based on his status as a ranking elected official of the party.
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.
“All appointees are to assume duties immediately and are expected to collect their appointment letters and further instructions at the party’s national headquarters,” the statement added.
The NWC also constituted a four-man committee to conduct the ADC governorship primary election in Osun State, with Dr. Rufus Ikanmi named as Chairman, Henry Moses as Secretary, and Muhammad Ibrahim and Alhaji Ibrahim Saleh Katagum as members.
Reaffirming its claim to authority, the faction warned that all official party announcements would only be communicated through its recognised channels.
“All appointments take immediate effect, and the appointees are expected to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and professionalism,” the statement said.
Abejide’s appointment has, however, further complicated the already festering leadership dispute within the ADC.
Barely two weeks earlier, a rival faction of the party led by former Senate President, David Mark, had ratified the expulsion of the same lawmaker over alleged acts of indiscipline.
The Mark-led faction had endorsed an earlier decision by the Kogi State chapter of the ADC to expel Abejide and subsequently wrote to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, asking that the seat of the Yagba Federal Constituency be declared vacant.
That faction, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, insisted it had zero tolerance for internal misconduct.
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