ADC youths demand Bala’s exit, give 48-hour deadline

The youth wing of the African Democratic Congress in Gombe State, on Monday, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Nafiu Bala, asking him to step down from his claims to party leadership and accept his reported resignation, following a deepening crisis within the party, which they say is threatening unity and stability ahead of future elections.

The demand came amid ongoing disputes within the party over leadership control, with tensions rising after electoral authorities reportedly recognised Bala’s faction instead of the group aligned with former Senate President David Mark.

The disagreement traces back to a leadership transition involving former chairman Ralph Nwosu and internal arrangements that later sparked legal battles and factional claims.

The youth group, led by convener Abubakar Galafi, said Bala’s actions have worsened the situation and created confusion within the party. They accused him of ignoring party rules and legal processes while pursuing personal interests. According to the group, his conduct has gone beyond internal disagreements and is now affecting the credibility of the party at the grassroots level.

They also raised concerns about alleged external influence, claiming that some political forces may be taking advantage of the crisis to weaken the party before the 2027 elections. The group pointed to what it described as unusual support and protection around Bala as part of a wider plan to destabilise the party.

The youths warned that if Bala fails to comply within the given time, he would lose their support and recognition within the state. They maintained that his actions do not represent the views of party members in Gombe and insisted that the party must remain independent and focused on its founding principles.

In a related development, a party chieftain in the state, Mustafa Hadi Aminu, also rejected Bala’s claims to leadership, stating that he had already been removed from the party through due process. He explained that the decision followed proper procedures from the local government level to the state structure and had been publicly communicated.

Aminu added that the matter is now before the court, making it difficult for internal mechanisms to resolve the dispute at this stage. He called on the electoral body to remain neutral while the legal process continues, noting that any perceived bias could affect the party’s future participation in elections.

He further stated that the dispute mainly concerns Bala’s resignation and removal by the party’s National Executive Committee, which he described as the highest decision-making body after the national convention. He also pointed to inconsistencies in documents linked to Bala, raising questions about their authenticity.

The crisis has continued to divide members, with both sides holding firm to their positions while awaiting a final decision from the court.