The scheduled national Convention of the Nafiu Bala-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Tuesday turned out a disaster as the well publicized event planned to take place in Abuja was met with complete absence of party members.
The Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome, approved for the convention, witnessed an empty hall as there was sign of delegates, party officials, or any physical preparation for the event whatsoever.
Confirmed reports showed that the Bala’s faction of the ADC, believed to be sponsored by some elements within the presidency with the aim to scatter the opposition coalition, was unable to muster members and delegates to the convention.
The faction had scheduled its convention for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, as a direct challenge to the main national leadership of the party led by Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and Secretary respectively.
The David Mark faction successfully held its convention on April 14 in Abuja.
The legal battle for the soul of the ADC remains active before Justice Emeka Nwite following INEC’s refusal to recognize Bala as the acting national chairman.
Despite the failed convention on Tuesday, the Bala’s faction is yet to offer an explanation for the woeful outing as a result of the total absence of activity at the National Stadium, leaving the future of the faction’s leadership in so much doubt.
The colossal failure of the Bala-led faction of the ADC national convention was not just a minor setback, but set the tone for who actually owns and controls the party.
As it is commonly said that in politics, legitimacy is not only declared, but usually demonstrated, thus when those who lay claim to lead do not show up, the message is unmistakable.
The outcome of the Tuesday’s outing by Bala’s faction raised serious questions about leadership, internal cohesion, and credibility within the group.
One party insider, not wanting his name on print, hinted that the failed programme clearly showed that Bala’s influence in the ADC is nothing to write home about because it shows that the real ADC members do not have any confidence in his so-called leadership.
“The Tuesday’s outing was a disaster that would be difficult to recover from as it lacks clarity of direction, and genuine efforts to rebuild trust amongst the genuine members of the ADC”, the source said.
Pointedly put, the insider volunteered that Bala’s perceived political structure lacks visibility just as the refusal of party members to attend the planned convention indicated that the people are far from the leadership he is laying claims to.
