Former senator, Ishaku Abbo, has traced the deepening leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to what he described as a breach of internal agreements and interference by powerful political actors.
In a statement dated April 4, 2026, Abbo alleged that the turmoil rocking the opposition party began after Nafiu Bala stepped down alongside members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to pave the way for a new leadership led by David Mark.
“The crises rocking the ADC in Nigeria started after my brother from Gombe, Nafiu Bala, resigned from office as Deputy National Chairman together with the entire National Working Committee to pave way for the Senator David Mark-led NWC to take over,” Abbo said.
He revealed that part of the agreement reached during the transition was to allocate key party positions across geopolitical zones to accommodate legacy members.
“In the Northeast in particular, it was agreed that the position of the National Vice Chairman Northeast will be given to Nafiu Bala, a lesser position from his former role,” he stated.
However, Abbo alleged that the agreement was later breached during the formation of the new NWC.
“During the formation of the David Mark-led NWC, the new leadership reneged on the earlier agreement… and instead installed Babachir David Lawal in the position,” he said.
According to him, Bala rejected an alternative offer and subsequently became aggrieved.
“At this point, he started plotting how to bring the whole roof down,” Abbo alleged.
The former lawmaker further claimed that external forces, including unnamed political figures and government officials, have played a role in escalating the crisis.
“I am fully aware that a powerful serving governor from the South East and a former Minister from the Northwest… assembled lawyers to help take the case to court,” he said.
“I am also aware that the current onslaught from INEC on ADC was engineered by a very powerful minister from the South South with the support of a few others,” Abbo added.
He warned that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s democratic space.
“I call on INEC to rescind their APC agenda or else Amupitan will be worse than Maurice Iwu,” he stated, referring to Joash Amupitan and former electoral commission chairman Maurice Iwu.
Abbo also urged Bala to withdraw his court case in the interest of party unity.
“I call on Nafiu Bala to go to court and withdraw this case and be part of history for good since he has proved his point,” he said.
He maintained that he would continue to speak on the issue, promising further revelations.
“I know much on this matter and I promised to be sincere, honest, bold and truthful,” Abbo added.
