The African Democratic Congress Youth Network in Gombe State has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Nafiu Bala, demanding that he reverse his recent statements and formally accept his alleged resignation from the party amid a deepening leadership crisis.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the Convener of the group, Abubakar Galafi, expressed outrage over what he described as an internal “hijack of democracy,” accusing Bala of undermining the party’s unity and credibility.

The leadership tussle within the ADC has reportedly led the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Nafiu Bala faction, jettisoning the camp aligned with David Mark.

This development follows the alleged handover of the party leadership by founder and former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, alongside Bala, then Deputy National Chairman, to Mark.

“Today, we speak with outrage and clear conviction on behalf of the youth and grassroots members of the African Democratic Congress who refuse to be silent while democracy is being hijacked from within,” Galafi said.

He noted that the crisis within the party had escalated beyond an internal disagreement, alleging that Bala’s actions constituted “a deliberate assault on the very democratic values ADC stands for.”

The group further accused Bala of disregarding legal pronouncements and party procedures, claiming he had aligned with forces working against the party’s stability.

“Despite multiple legal pronouncements and party procedures, Mr. Bala has willingly aligned himself with forces seeking to sabotage the credibility and unity of our party,” Galafi stated.

“Instead of resolving disputes through constitutional means, he chose chaos, confusion, and manipulation. His repeated denials and refusal to acknowledge his resignation expose a desperation to cling to power, not a commitment to democratic principles,” he added.

The youth body also raised concerns about alleged external interference, suggesting that elements linked to the ruling party were using Bala to destabilise ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“It is deeply disturbing that certain external actors, including elements connected to the ruling party, are using Bala as a tool to destabilise ADC internally ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.

Galafi further pointed to what he described as “heavy security presence and government-backed privileges” around Bala as evidence of a “sinister agenda” to weaken the opposition party from within.

Reiterating their position, the group rejected any actions they believe threaten the party’s independence.

“We reject any narrative that legitimises actions that threaten the independence of ADC. We reject any alignment that serves personal ambition over party principles,” he said.

The group warned that failure to comply with their demands would attract stiff opposition.

“Hon. Nafiu Bala, you have 48 hours to reverse your statements and formally accept your resignation from ADC, or forfeit any claim to our support as youths and stakeholders in Gombe State,” Galafi declared.

He stressed that the people of Gombe State would not be represented by Bala’s actions.

“To those attempting to generalise Gombe people based on this misconduct, you do not represent us. You are a lone bad apple, and we no longer recognise you as one of our own,” he added.

Galafi reaffirmed the group’s commitment to protecting democratic values within the party, warning against what he described as opportunism in Nigeria’s political space.

“For too long, democracy in Nigeria, particularly in the North, has been exploited by opportunists. ADC was founded on the promise of genuine representation and credible opposition. We will not allow internal sabotage to undo this work,” he said.

He concluded by urging party members and supporters to remain vigilant.

“To our members, supporters, and patriots: we are watching, we are mobilising, and we will not be silent,” Galafi said.

On his part, a chieftain of the ADC in Gombe State, Mustafa Hadi Aminu, has distanced the party from the actions of its former governorship candidate, Hon. Nafiu Bala, insisting that he is no longer a member of the party.

Hadi, who contested for the House of Representatives in the last general election under the ADC platform, said Bala’s current claims to party leadership were baseless and self-driven.

“We contested together in the last election. He was the governorship candidate, and I ran for the House of Representatives. After the election, he was nominated as Deputy National Chairman of the party,” Hadi said.

He explained that the crisis began during internal coalition arrangements within the party, when Bala allegedly accepted a position and later reversed his stance.

“After accepting an initial position, he reneged and began laying claim to a factional chairmanship that never existed before. That is how this confusion started,” he stated.

Hadi further disclosed that Bala had been expelled from the party through due process, beginning from the local government level up to the state structure, with proper documentation and media notifications.

“Nafiu Bala was expelled. The decision was approved from the local government level up to the state. The records are there, and statements were issued to the press. What he is doing now is entirely on his own. He is no longer a member of this party,” he said.

On the likely outcome if Bala refuses to comply with party directives, Hadi noted that the matter had gone beyond internal party mechanisms and was now before the court.

“This issue is already in court. It is beyond the ADC and beyond Nafiu Bala as an individual. The court will decide. There is nothing anybody can do at this stage,” he added.

He, however, called on INEC to remain neutral in handling the situation.

“What we expect from INEC is impartiality and fairness. But from what we are seeing, it appears as though the commission already has a position. We are watching and waiting for the court’s decision,” Hadi said.

Speaking on the legal dispute, he clarified that the issue of factional leadership was not part of the party’s prayers before the court, stressing that the core matter was Bala’s resignation and subsequent removal by the party’s National Executive Committee.

“The NEC is the highest decision-making body of the party after the national convention. Nafiu Bala’s position was dissolved at that level. That is what is before the court,” he explained.

Hadi also pointed to alleged inconsistencies surrounding Bala’s resignation, including documents bearing varying signatures and spelling styles, which he said raised concerns about credibility.

“There are documents in circulation with multiple signatures attributed to him and inconsistencies in how he signed as chairman. These are issues that raise serious questions,” he said.

He added that despite Bala’s denial, the resignation letter in question originated from him.

“Even if he denies it now, the letter emanated from him. That is a fact,” Hadi insisted.

The ADC chieftain also addressed concerns about the perceived link between Bala’s actions and the image of Gombe State, noting that the party had rejected any such association.

“Whenever Nafiu Bala’s name is mentioned, Gombe State is often attached, as if he represents the entire people. We reject that completely,” he said.

He described Bala’s conduct, ranging from contradictory public statements to disputes over signed documents, as questionable and unrepresentative of the people of the state.

“An individual signs a resignation letter and, within hours, goes to the media to deny it. These are not actions that reflect the values of our people,” he added.

Hadi concluded by reaffirming that Bala’s actions do not represent either the ADC or the people of Gombe State, urging the public to treat his claims as personal.

“We want to make it clear that his actions are his alone. He does not represent the ADC, and he does not represent Gombe State,” he said. (The PUNCH)

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