A faction of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), loyal to factional National Chairman Nafiu Bala, has rejected the David Mark-led coalition, describing it as an illegal structure backed by a rival leadership.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the factional BoT Secretary, Rufus Ekenmi, accused the coalition of “sneaking into the ADC” and attempting to destabilise the party.
Ekenmi condemned what he called a calculated move by influential political actors to infiltrate and hijack the ADC under the guise of forming a coalition.
“Some individuals illegally infiltrated the party in the name of a coalition, infecting the ADC with a political spirit of insubordination,” he said.
He stressed that the faction would neither recognise nor cooperate with the coalition being spearheaded by former Senate President David Mark.
The factional BoT also directed Bala to activate the party’s disciplinary committee against any ADC member who engages with political leaders linked to the coalition. The list includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President David Mark, ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, Liyel Imoke, and former ministers Abubakar Malami and Babachir Lawal, as well as former Imo governor Emeka Ihedioha.
According to Ekenmi, such interactions amount to recognising a parallel leadership structure.
Responding to his endorsement by the BoT faction, Bala vowed to remain guided by the ADC constitution and to run the party with fairness and impartiality.
He accused members of the coalition of breaching the party’s constitution by operating from an unauthorized, parallel secretariat.
“Our party constitution clearly states that only registered members in good standing are entitled to party privileges, including access to official premises,” he said.
Bala maintained that any attempt to establish a rival power centre within the ADC would be firmly resisted.
