Atiku Abubakar Yet to Reach Out to Nafiu Bala Amid ADC Leadership Crisis

A factional leader of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Bala Gombe, expressed disappointment that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has not personally contacted him amid the party's leadership crisis. Bala regarded Atiku as a father figure but was surprised by the lack of communication. He stated his willingness to work with Atiku, former Senate President David Mark, and other party leaders to strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Bala's comments came after a court judgment that vindicated his faction and affirmed its position in the party's leadership structure. He expressed gratitude for the ruling, saying it recognized the merits of his faction's case and was supported by the party's constitution. Bala's faction is awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment to approach the Independent National Electoral Commission to effect changes to the party's leadership records.

Despite the legal victory, Bala urged members of the opposing faction to embrace reconciliation in the interest of the opposition. He emphasized that all those seeking to join the ADC or contest elections on its platform must comply with the party's constitution, particularly provisions relating to membership registration, payment of dues, and eligibility for leadership positions. Bala accused the opposing faction of failing to follow the party's membership registration procedures.

Bala dismissed allegations that he was working for the ruling All Progressives Congress to destabilize the opposition, insisting that his decision to approach the court was motivated by his desire to protect his rights and uphold the ADC constitution. He also rejected suggestions that INEC was deliberately delaying the implementation of the ruling, arguing that the commission might not have received the official court document.

On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Bala said his faction had directed all aspirants seeking elective positions under the ADC platform to continue their campaign activities. He urged members of the opposing faction to exercise patience, comply with the party's constitutional provisions, and complete their membership registration at their respective wards. Bala disclosed that his faction largely depended on membership dues and other contributions generated through the party's internal activities to finance its operations.

The leadership crisis has continued to generate controversy, with the ADC recently criticizing the Nigerian Bar Association over disciplinary proceedings initiated against Kalu Kalu, a lawyer representing Atiku. The NBA had petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over alleged insulting remarks made by Kalu against Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court.

The ADC accused the NBA of double standards and questioned why it had not expressed similar concerns when the Court of Appeal reportedly criticized Justice Lifu's conduct in a June 2026 ruling. The party warned the NBA against allowing itself to be drawn into what it described as a political campaign against opposition figures.

Key points

• Nafiu Bala's faction of the ADC was vindicated by a court judgment that affirmed its position in the party's leadership structure.
• Bala expressed willingness to work with Atiku Abubakar and other party leaders to strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
• The ADC leadership crisis has generated controversy, with the party criticizing the Nigerian Bar Association over disciplinary proceedings initiated against a lawyer representing Atiku Abubakar.