Nafiu Bala, factional national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has denied reports claiming he resigned from his position as the party’s deputy national chairman, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

His reaction follows the recent resolution by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the lingering leadership crisis within the party.

Bala, who spoke in a video published by Rariya Hausa and seen by Politics Nigeria, dismissed a circulating document purportedly showing that he resigned on May 17, 2025.

“My name is Hon. Nafiu Bala, the ADC acting national chairman,” he said.

“I would like to use this opportunity to address a document currently circulating, which claims that I resigned from my position as national vice chairman on May 17.

“I wish to state that this paper did not come from me, and that is not my signature on it. The signature you see there was forged.”

Bala explained that his emergence as acting national chairman followed the resignation of the party’s former leadership.

According to him, during a party event on July 2, the then national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, alongside other executives, stepped down and mandated him and others to oversee the party’s affairs pending a national convention.

“On that day, he told the world that I, along with other people, would continue running the party affairs until the national convention,” Bala said.

He insisted that his assumption of office is in line with the party’s constitution.

“Because of that, I am resuming office as the ADC national chairman. According to our party constitution, when there is no leader, the deputy takes over,” he added.

Bala further maintained that any legitimate resignation from him would have been issued through his official letterhead.

“When I was deputy national chairman, if I were to write a resignation letter, I would do it using my official letterhead. Any letter not containing my letterhead is not from me,” he said.

The ADC crisis has drawn in former Senate President David Mark, who is also a key figure in the leadership tussle.

Reacting earlier, Mark insisted that Bala had indeed resigned from his position on May 17, 2025, and that the resignation was formally transmitted to INEC on August 12, 2025.

“Regardless of his resignation, he approached the court months later seeking recognition as chairman,” Mark stated.

The dispute between both camps has resulted in prolonged litigation. Bala had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025) seeking to restrain Mark’s team from parading themselves as party leaders and to compel INEC to recognise him as acting national chairman.

He also filed motions to stop the party from holding meetings, congresses, or conventions pending the determination of the suit.

On September 4, 2025, the trial judge, Emeka Nwite, directed the respondents, including INEC, to show cause why Bala’s requests should not be granted.

However, Mark challenged the jurisdiction of the court, filing an appeal against the proceedings.

In a ruling delivered on March 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed Mark’s appeal in its entirety, describing it as incompetent and lacking merit.