A FACTIONAL National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Nafiu Bala, has described national convention held on April 14 by the David Mark-led faction of ADC as not only a nullity but an affront on the court.
Bala, who stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, dismissed the convention, saying it was a flagrant disregard of the Court of Appeal judgment.
“Any action taken in flagrant disregard of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on 12th March, 2026 is not only of questionable legality but is liable to be declared null and void.
“The noticeable absence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the convention strongly indicates that the process lacks official recognition and cannot stand judicial scrutiny as to its legitimacy,” he said.
Bala also said that the faction’s action was a violation of ADC’s constitution and demonstration of lawlessness.
He stated that since the case is currently pending before Justice Emeka Nwite, the national convention was a breach of the party’s constitution.
Bala claimed that the matter had assumed a criminal dimension involving preparation of a false document bearing his forged signature, with the intent to damage his reputation.
He, therefore, disassociated his faction from the actions taken by the Mark-led faction, saying that they are not members of ADC.
Bala, whose expulsion was announced by the Mark-led faction during its April 14 national convention, said the faction had no powers to expel him or any other member of the party in view of their stance as illegitimate members.
“As far as the duly-constituted and legitimate leadership of the party is concerned, the coalition group are not members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Consequently, they lack the requisite locus standi to convene or conduct any congress or convention, and any resolution or decision emanating from such gatherings are devoid of legal effect,” he said.
Also speaking, a House of Representatives member and chieftain of ADC, Rep. Leke Abejide, described the convention as illegal and unconstitutional.
Abejide said that a subsisting order from a Federal High Court and the Supreme Court had clearly ordered the faction not to hold the convention.
“We want to let the public know that the suya convention that ADC coalition held on 14th of April, 2026 at event centre in Abuja is null and void.
“There is an existing court order from a Federal High Court and the Supreme Court respectively that they should not do anything pending the determination of the case in court,” he said.
Abejide, who lampooned the Mark-led faction, said that they are not progressives, but the same group of people who orchestrated the fall of PDP.
He affirmed his loyalty and genuine membership of ADC right from his ward, saying that no one was more ADC than him.
“I nurtured ADC into recognition, having two House of Representatives members in the 2023 general elections.
“My political vision and ideology are far from merchandise, but propelled by genuine love for the people and national development,” he said. (NAN)
