The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Bala, on Thursday ruled out immediate reconciliation with the faction led by former Senate President David Mark, urging him to revalidate his membership.
Our correspondent reports that this following a Federal High Court judgment on the party’s leadership dispute in Bala’s favour.
Bala said his faction would immediately resume political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the judgment had affirmed his position as the party’s legitimate national chairman.
He consequently directed governorship and other candidates nominated under his leadership to resume their campaigns, describing them as the authentic candidates of the ADC.
The ADC leader also dismissed suggestions of reconciliation with the opposing camp, arguing that those seeking to participate in the party’s activities must first comply with its membership requirements and constitutional provisions.
He specifically urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Mark to register as members of the party in their respective wards before seeking to influence its affairs.
“I call on Atiku Abubakar and David Mark to go to their respective wards, register officially as members of the ADC, and join us so that we can work together for the success of the ADC,” he said.
Bala questioned the basis for reconciliation with individuals he maintained had not fulfilled the requirements for membership of the party.
“How can you reconcile with someone who has not joined your party? Let them go and understand the rules and procedures, then officially join our party,” he added.
The leadership crisis followed the resignation of the ADC’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, after which Mark and other party leaders emerged as members of a caretaker leadership structure.
Bala, who was the party’s Deputy National Chairman for the North-East, challenged the emergence of the caretaker leadership, arguing that the party’s constitution provided for his succession to the national chairmanship.
The dispute culminated in a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, which on Thursday delivered judgment against the Mark-led leadership, nullifying its emergence and decisions taken under the disputed arrangement.