Nafiu Bala, the former deputy national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has alleged that Ralph Nwosu, former national chairman of the ADC, deceived him into attending the adoption ceremony of the party by the coalition.

In an interview with AIT, Bala said he was unaware that Nwosu, had planned to appoint David Mark, former senate president, and Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun state governor, as the party’s chairman and national secretary, respectively.

Bala said that he attended the ceremony because they had planned to announce the adoption of ADC by the coalition for the 2027 general election before the twist.

“The day the coalition said that they wanted to adopt ADC as a party, and announced to the world… Ralph Nwosu announced his resignation and announced that David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola had been appointed as the chairman and national secretary of the ADC on the same day. I was surprised because that was not what took me there,” Bala said.

“They only came to introduce themselves and adopt ADC as a party for the 2027 general election.”

Bala noted that after the incident, he notified and organised a meeting with the national working committee (NWC) and the national executive council (NEC) of the party before seeking redress in court.

“One week later, I met with the national working committee across the country for consultation before taking action,” he said.

“After the consultation, I wrote to INEC as the deputy national chairman, acting as the chairman of the party. After the consultation, I went to court.”

ADC has been embroiled in internal disputes with Bala and the David Mark-led faction both claiming the party’s leadership.

Bala rejected reports that he resigned his position as deputy national chairman of the ADC, alleging that his signature was forged.

He has also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as national chairman of the ADC.