₦airaland Forum

CLARIFICATION ON CIRCULATING VIDEOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

The meeting held on 2nd July, 2025, was convened specifically for the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a unified platform for coalition partners. Contrary to expectations, the event took an unexpected turn when Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, the then National Chairman, was given the floor to deliver his welcoming address. In a shocking move, he announced his resignation as National Chairman, proceeded to issue a membership card to Sen. David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, and declared them Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

These actions by Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu were in clear contravention of Articles 8(2) and 9(4) of the ADC Constitution (2022, as amended). Notably, the party’s constitution does not empower the outgoing chairman to appoint a successor. The process for replacing the National Chairman is explicitly outlined in the constitution, and Nwosu’s actions disregarded this procedure.

I was present at the meeting and can attest that the gathering was not intended for the unveiling of Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders. My attendance at the meeting and previous engagements with coalition partners from April 2024 to July 2025 do not imply endorsement of the irregular appointments. There was no formal vote or consensus on the appointments, and several National Working Committee (NWC) members, including myself, were taken aback by the developments.

Following Nwosu’s announcement, the then National Secretary, Alhaji Sa’id Baba Abdullahi, also resigned, citing unclear circumstances. None of the NWC members were privy to the situation, and neither Nwosu nor Abdullahi had discussed the matter with us prior to the meeting.

I trust this clarification addresses the concerns raised by the circulating videos of my humble self on social media platforms. I appreciate the opportunity to provide accurate information and set the record straight.

Signed:
Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe
National Chairman
African Democratic Congress (ADC)

treesun:
In a statement on Tuesday, Bala confirmed his attendance, but insisted that there was no prior agreement to appoint the Mark-led leadership at the meeting.

He said the meeting which held on July 2, 2025, was convened specifically for the adoption of ADC as a unified platform for coalition partners, not to unveil new party leaders.

“Contrary to expectations, the event took an unexpected turn when Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, the then National Chairman, was given the floor to deliver his welcoming address,” Bala said.

“In a shocking move, he announced his resignation as National Chairman, proceeded to issue a membership card to Sen. David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, and declared them Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.”

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He said Nwosu’s actions “were in clear contravention of Articles 8(2) and 9(4) of the ADC Constitution (2022, as amended)”.

According to him, the party’s constitution does not empower an outgoing chairman to appoint a successor.

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He said the process for replacing the national chairman is “explicitly outlined in the constitution, and Nwosu’s actions disregarded this procedure”.

“I was present at the meeting and can attest that the gathering was not intended for the unveiling of Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders,” Bala said.

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“My attendance at the meeting and previous engagements with coalition partners from April 2024 to July 2025 do not imply endorsement of the irregular appointments.

“There was no formal vote or consensus on the appointments, and several National Working Committee (NWC) members, including myself, were taken aback by the developments.”

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He added that following Nwosu’s announcement, Sa’id Baba Abdullahi, the then national secretary of the party resigned, citing unclear circumstances.

“None of the NWC members were privy to the situation, and neither Nwosu nor Abdullahi had discussed the matter with us prior to the meeting,” the ADC factional chair stated.

“I trust this clarification addresses the concerns raised by the circulating videos of my humble self on social media platforms. I appreciate the opportunity to provide accurate information and set the record straight.”


https://www.thecable.ng/nafiu-bala-confirms-attendance-of-adc-unveiling-insists-opposition-coalition-imposed-without-consensus/

seunmsg:
How can attendance at a meeting mean concurrence to whatever some people pre-planed?

Whatever is even the case, why is ADC refusing to go and defend their decision at the FHC as ordered by the Appeal Court?

AMINDA:
Here's INEC's oath before the court of law affirming that they were present when the ADC NEC ratified Mark and Aregbe as leaders of the party and reminding the courts that no court has jurisdiction over the internal affairs of a party.

9jatriot:
This is exactly what fraudulent politicians do. They will never tell you the full story, they will visit you, make sure you take pictures with them and then go and release a press release that you have endorsed them.

This man was already salivating on how he will be an executive in a party that has Atiku and other leaders only to be told that he will be a floor member without even following due process. I have said it before and I will say it again.

Let us even for a second assume that they resigned, does the former ADC chairman have the power to just give the position to anyone of theiir choice?

It is like an ex-coach of Real Madrid goes and meets the coach of Blackburn and tells him to resign and hand over to him just like that. NO resort to the board, no investor input, the Blackburn coach just decides on his own who to hand over. How does it even make sense?

If all the exco resign at the same time, it makes sense for an interim management from the old members to take over or the NEC takeover, not total strangers.

How does it even make sense that you join a party today, you become its leader that same day, just like that. If this Bala guy did not contest it, another member would have done so, because it does not make sense. Their best bet would have been to work with the present leaders, ensure they do their bidding not drive them away from their party and humiliate them.

In all of these Atiku and David Mark share the lion share of the blame.

seunmsg:
INEC is a party to the case and they simply defended their decision to recognize the David Mark faction. That they filed this position before the court does not mean they are right and it doesn’t mean the court must accept their position.

AMINDA:
Lol. Are you having a laugh? He was present when all these decisions were taking place in the presence of INEC as his appended signature clearly shows but he was not aware of the proceedings of same meeting that took place in his presence? I have always suspected that he is that slow but don't expect the rest of us to be. In any case, that's his loss. The NEC is the highest decision making organ of any political party. Tell Tinubu to prepare for elections. He must meet his opponents at the ballot whether he likes it or not.

AMINDA:
Here's INEC's oath before the court of law affirming that they were present when the ADC NEC ratified Mark and Aregbe as leaders of the party and reminding the courts that no court has jurisdiction over the internal affairs of a party.

seunmsg:
Go and tell Justice Nwite all these your stories. It is that simple. I’m not a judge and INEC is a party to the case and not a judge. Telling us all these is a waste of time. Go back to the FHC and explain yourself to Justice Nwite. Till then, INEC won’t recognize anyone.

seunmsg:
Go and tell Justice Nwite all these your stories. It is that simple. I’m not a judge and INEC is a party to the case and not a judge. Telling us all these is a waste of time. Go back to the FHC and explain yourself to Justice Nwite. Till then, INEC won’t recognize anyone.

treesun:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1bP3PuNcL2/

seunmsg:
Go and tell Justice Nwite all these your stories. It is that simple. I’m not a judge and INEC is a party to the case and not a judge. Telling us all these is a waste of time. Go back to the FHC and explain yourself to Justice Nwite. Till then, INEC won’t recognize anyone.

Svoboda:
This externally influenced crisis is free advert for the adc. Perhaps it's something that will backfire right in the faces of the instigators. It is now left for the adc to harness the widespread sympathy from across Nigeria and transform this to popular support. Obviously, there is voter fatigue that will transpire in the presidential election for the APC in 2027. Beyond that, Tinubu has nothing to campaign with. That said, with many of the Muslim clerics speaking out against the government with more boldness presently, it tells you just one thing.

seunmsg:
Go and tell Justice Nwite all these your stories. It is that simple. I’m not a judge and INEC is a party to the case and not a judge.

Telling us all these is a waste of time. Go back to the FHC and explain yourself to Justice Nwite. Till then, INEC won’t recognize anyone.

9jatriot:
This is exactly what fraudulent politicians do. They will never tell you the full story, they will visit you, make sure you take pictures with them and then go and release a press release that you have endorsed them.

This man was already salivating on how he will be an executive in a party that has Atiku and other leaders only to be told that he will be a floor member without even following due process. I have said it before and I will say it again.

Let us even for a second assume that they resigned, does the former ADC chairman have the power to just give the position to anyone of theiir choice?

It is like an ex-coach of Real Madrid goes and meets the coach of Blackburn and tells him to resign and hand over to him just like that. NO resort to the board, no investor input, the Blackburn coach just decides on his own who to hand over. How does it even make sense?

If all the exco resign at the same time, it makes sense for an interim management from the old members to take over or the NEC takeover, not total strangers.

How does it even make sense that you join a party today, you become its leader that same day, just like that. If this Bala guy did not contest it, another member would have done so, because it does not make sense. Their best bet would have been to work with the present leaders, ensure they do their bidding not drive them away from their party and humiliate them.

In all of these Atiku and David Mark share the lion share of the blame.

ppogba:
Ralph Nwosu don collect money.

It is time to vomit.

9jatriot:
This is exactly what fraudulent politicians do. They will never tell you the full story, they will visit you, make sure you take pictures with them and then go and release a press release that you have endorsed them.

This man was already salivating on how he will be an executive in a party that has Atiku and other leaders only to be told that he will be a floor member without even following due process. I have said it before and I will say it again.

Let us even for a second assume that they resigned, does the former ADC chairman have the power to just give the position to anyone of theiir choice?

It is like an ex-coach of Real Madrid goes and meets the coach of Blackburn and tells him to resign and hand over to him just like that. NO resort to the board, no investor input, the Blackburn coach just decides on his own who to hand over. How does it even make sense?

If all the exco resign at the same time, it makes sense for an interim management from the old members to take over or the NEC takeover, not total strangers.

How does it even make sense that you join a party today, you become its leader that same day, just like that. If this Bala guy did not contest it, another member would have done so, because it does not make sense. Their best bet would have been to work with the present leaders, ensure they do their bidding not drive them away from their party and humiliate them.

In all of these Atiku and David Mark share the lion share of the blame.