A faction of the African Democratic Congress led by Nafiu Bala announced the suspension of 15 well-known members of the party, including former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, over alleged anti-party conduct.
The decision was taken during a regular meeting of the party’s National Working Committee and later made public in a statement released in the federal capital. Those affected by the six-month suspension include party chieftains such as Balarabe Rufai, Ibrahim Mani, Bamidele Ajadi, Chike Okogwu, Anayo Arinze, Kenneth Gbandi, Said Abdullahi, Hauwa Musa, Nkem Ukandu, Peters Oyewole, Peter Edeh, Festus Igbinoba and Razak Eyiwuawi.
The Bala-led faction said the suspended members were involved in activities believed to be damaging to internal unity and smooth running of party affairs. According to the group, some members worked with external political partners in ways that created tension within the party and disrupted its operations. The action, it said, followed provisions of the party constitution.
The faction also rejected congresses reportedly being organised in some states by individuals it described as unauthorised. It declared such ward, local government and state congresses invalid and urged party members and the public to disregard any outcomes from them.
In the same meeting, the faction announced several new appointments aimed at strengthening party administration. A federal lawmaker from Kogi State, Leke Abejide, was named Chairman of the Board of Patrons, based on his position as the party’s highest-ranking elected official. Other appointments included Bala Sani as Chief of Staff to the National Chairman, Abimiku Monday as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Muhammad Aboki as Director of Youth Mobilisation, Bello Shehu as Director of Finance, and Rabiu Mohammed as Administrative Secretary. All appointees were directed to assume duty immediately.
The party leadership also set up a four-man committee to oversee the Osun State governorship primary election. The committee is chaired by Rufus Ikanmi, with Henry Moses as secretary, while Muhammad Ibrahim and Ibrahim Saleh Katagum serve as members.
The developments have added to the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC. The appointment of Abejide has drawn attention because another faction of the party, led by former Senate President David Mark, had earlier confirmed his expulsion. That rival group had supported a decision by the Kogi State chapter to remove Abejide over alleged misconduct and had even written to the House of Representatives seeking to have his seat declared vacant.
The latest suspensions, appointments and conflicting decisions reflect the deep divisions within the ADC, with rival groups continuing to issue opposing directives as the party faces growing internal uncertainty ahead of future elections.