Letter of my resignation is fake, says ADC factional chair Nafiu Bala

Nafiu Bala, a factional chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has denied resigning from the party.

On Wednesday, Bala, a former governorship candidate of the ADC in the 2023 elections, declared himself acting chairman of the party.

He faulted the adoption of the ADC by opposition politicians as their platform for the 2027 elections, noting that it breached the party constitution.

Subsequently, a resignation letter dated May 18 surfaced online, stating that Bala stepped down as a member of the ADC’s national working committee (ADC). Reports also claimed that Bala has resigned from the party.

‘MALICIOUS FABRICATION’

In a statement issued on Friday, Bala dismissed the letter as “entirely false, deceptive, malicious and fake”.

The politician attributed the letter’s circulation to “certain mischievous elements both within and outside the party”.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

BACKGROUND

In July, opposition politicians and some ADC leaders adopted the party as the coalition platform for the 2027 elections.

Some of the coalition members include Atiku Abubakar; David Mark, the former senate president; Uche Secondus, former PDP national chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger state; and Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi.

Others include Aminu Tambuwal, ex-governor of Sokoto; and Liyel Imoke, former governor of Cross River; Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the LP in 2023; Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior; and Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation.

On July 2, Ralph Nwosu, the party’s founder and former national chairman, announced the resignation of the national working committee (NWC) and endorsed the interim leadership headed by Mark.

On July 29, Nwosu claimed he was offered three ministerial appointments to drop the plan to turn the party into an opposition coalition platform.

A faction within the party had opposed the ADC’s adoption by the opposition, arguing that the party is not a “private coalition platform” to be commandeered by a select group of elite individuals.

Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has also criticised the adoption of the ADC by the opposition alliance.

Bala said he would challenge the alleged takeover of the party in court.