In a statement he personally signed and issued on Friday, Bala dismissed the resignation letter, describing it as dated May 17, 2025, as fabricated.
A former African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Gombe State and ex-national deputy chairman of the party, who recently declared himself the interim national chairman, Nafi’u Bala, has distanced himself from the letter making the rounds on social media showing his purported resignation as the Deputy National Chairman of the ADC.
In a statement he personally signed and issued on Friday, Bala dismissed the resignation letter, describing it as dated May 17, 2025, as fabricated.
Bala described the letter as “entirely false and deceptive”, attributing its circulation to “certain mischievous elements both within and outside the party.”
A letter dated May 17, 2025, and addressed to the ADC National Chairman with the title: “Letter of Resignation as Deputy National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC),” has been making the rounds on social media.
However, denying the letter, Bala said, “I am writing to address a matter of utmost importance that has recently surfaced in the public domain, a fabricated letter of resignation purportedly authored by me, Nafiu Bala, dated 18 May 2025.
“This document, which has been circulated by certain mischievous elements within and outside our party, is entirely false and without merit.
“I wish to unequivocally state that I have not resigned from my position as the Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“The timing and content of this fake resignation letter are not only misleading but also riddled with glaring contradictions that raise serious questions about its authenticity.
“Notably, while the letter claims I resigned on 18 May 2025, it is critical to highlight that on 2 July 2025, during a meeting to receive certain new members into the ADC at the Yar’Adua Conference Center in Abuja, my predecessor, Ralph Nwosu, publicly declared his own resignation.”
Bala said that in his media address, Ralph Nwosu confirmed that he did not resign as the party’s Deputy National Chairman.
Bala quoted Nwosu as saying, “Nafiu Bala did not resign as the Deputy National Chairman.”
According to him, Nwosu’s statement invalidates any claims of his resignation and “underscores the deceitful nature of the circulated letter.”
He further noted that there are discrepancies between his official correspondence and the said “fake” resignation letter.
He said, “All my official communications have been conducted on the official headed paper of my office, which bears the emblem and insignia of the African Democratic Congress.
“In stark contrast, the fraudulent resignation letter is presented on plain paper, devoid of any official markings.
“This blatant difference in presentation further undermines the credibility of the document and highlights the nefarious intentions behind its circulation.”
Bala further stated, “In light of these developments, I must also question the authenticity of those who are now posing as new leaders of our party.
“The Constitution of the African Democratic Congress clearly stipulates that any individual seeking to assume a leadership position must be a member of the party and must have maintained their financial obligations for a minimum of one year prior to their candidacy.”
Bala stressed that this provision has not been amended, and any claims to the contrary are simply unfounded.
“It is essential that we uphold the integrity of our party’s Constitution and ensure that all leadership transitions adhere to the established guidelines,” he said.
“The integrity of our party’s governance structures must be preserved, and any actions taken outside of these formal processes cannot be recognised as legitimate.”
Bala called on all party members, supporters, and the broader public to remain alert in the face of misinformation and to reject efforts aimed at sowing discord within the party ranks.
He added, “Our party is built on the principles of democracy, transparency, and integrity, and it is imperative that we work together to uphold these values.
“I reaffirm my commitment to the African Democratic Congress and its vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria.
“Together, we will continue to advance our agenda and serve the interests of the people we represent.”
Declaring Himself Acting National Chairman
Bala ignited a fresh leadership crisis within the ADC when, on Wednesday, he declared himself the interim national chairman of the party.
Speaking at a late-night press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Bala launched a scathing attack on the faction of the party led by former Senate President David Mark, accusing it of orchestrating an “illegal hijack” of the party’s leadership in violation of its constitution.
He alleged that the party’s structures had been surrendered to individuals with no real affiliation to the ADC, warning that the move threatened internal democracy and the party’s ideological foundation.
Bala’s declaration came in response to the July 2 announcement by Ralph Nwosu, the party’s founder and former national chairman, who dissolved the ADC’s National Working Committee (NWC) and endorsed an interim leadership led by David Mark.
That restructuring was part of a broader political realignment in which prominent opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Uche Secondus, Aminu Tambuwal, Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai, adopted the ADC as the coalition platform for the 2027 general elections.
Bala described the move as a “shameful political takeover orchestrated by outsiders” and a “political melodrama,” denouncing what he sees as a betrayal of party principles.
He further claimed that his ascension to the interim national chairmanship was in line with the party’s constitution, which outlines clear procedures for leadership succession.
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