ADC LEADERSHIP CRISIS: COURT REJECTS NAFIU BALA’S RESIGNATION LETTER, LEAVING DAVID MARK’S FACTION WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS

The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken another dramatic turn after the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected a controversial resignation letter allegedly written by former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala. In a development that could further complicate the party’s internal struggle, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the disputed document was not genuine evidence that Bala voluntarily resigned from his position. Apparently, in Nigerian politics, even resignation letters now need to pass a serious identity test before they can be trusted.

The ruling represents a significant setback for the faction led by former Senate President David Mark, which had relied on the disputed document to support its position that Bala relinquished his office before the leadership transition. With the court questioning the authenticity of the signature, the ADC’s internal disagreement has moved beyond political arguments and into a more uncomfortable territory: whether the paperwork presented to justify a leadership change can withstand judicial scrutiny.

COURT QUESTIONS THE SIGNATURE AS BALA’S RESIGNATION CLAIM COLLAPSES

In his judgment delivered on Thursday, November 5, Justice Lifu reportedly compared the signature on the disputed resignation letter with signatures contained in Bala’s sworn witness statements. The judge identified material differences and concluded that the document could not be accepted as reliable proof that Bala voluntarily resigned. He also clarified that certifying a document does not automatically establish that the person named in it genuinely signed it.

The judge’s position delivers an important lesson to political organisations that sometimes treat official-looking documents as unquestionable evidence. Certification may establish that a copy accurately reflects a document held by an authority, but it does not necessarily establish the authenticity of a disputed signature. In other words, putting an official stamp on a questionable document does not magically turn it into a genuine resignation letter.

DAVID MARK’S ADC FACTION FACES FRESH LEGAL AND POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY

Bala had approached the court to challenge the leadership arrangement that produced David Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary. The Mark-led faction maintained that Bala resigned on May 17, 2025, with the resignation subsequently communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Bala, however, repeatedly denied writing the letter and publicly described the signature as forged. The court’s rejection of the document has therefore weakened an important part of the faction’s defence.

Beyond the disputed resignation letter, Justice Lifu also reportedly questioned whether the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola at the July 27, 2025, National Executive Committee meeting complied with the democratic election requirement under Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act 2022. The court maintained that neither the powers of the party’s National Executive Committee nor INEC’s subsequent recognition could replace compliance with statutory requirements. The Mark-led faction has rejected the judgment and indicated its intention to appeal, leaving the ADC facing another round of legal and political uncertainty as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.

The rejection of Nafiu Bala’s purported resignation letter is more than a disagreement over handwriting; it strikes at the foundation of the arguments used to justify a controversial leadership transition within the ADC. With the legitimacy of the party’s leadership arrangement under judicial scrutiny and the faction promising an appeal, the battle for control of the party is far from over. Whether the next chapter brings reconciliation, another courtroom confrontation or further political realignment remains to be seen. Stay with OGM News NG for further updates as this unfolding political drama develops.

Editorial background check: The November 5 judgment was reported by multiple Nigerian news organisations on November 11. Further reporting confirms that the ADC had already filed a notice of appeal and a motion seeking a stay of execution on November 6. The application for a stay was still awaiting determination in the latest report reviewed.