President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, has declared Hon. Nafiu Bala, as the National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in what appears as a plan to bind the hand of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Onanuga made the declaration on his Facebook page accompanied by a graphic poster of Nafiu Bala, where he said that the crisis rocking the party is rooted in legal processes rather than external political interference.
In the post, Onanuga highlighted that two Nigerian lawyers; Inibehe Effiong and Bodunde Opeyemi both explained to him that the dispute in ADC stems from court procedures and internal party disagreements.
Effiong criticised the legal approach adopted by the faction linked to former Senate President David Mark, saying the Federal High Court only directed parties to be put on notice rather than issuing a restraining order.
Opeyemi, on his part, noted that the Court of Appeal in March 2026 ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, meaning the situation must remain as it was before the case was filed. According to him, this directive explains why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to recognise any faction of the party while the case remains in court.
Meanwhile, Nigerians reacted strongly in the comment section of the post, blasting Onanuga.
One of the Facebook users, Tunde Akogun, questioned the explanation, asking Onanuga, “Where did you copy this from?”
Another user, Jezreel Abu, wrote, “Oga we know the handwriting, we know the script.”
Tom Fredfish also asked, “Who is bankrolling Hon. Nafiu Bala?”
Adebọla Orulugbagbe alleged political influence over the judiciary, saying, “When you know that the high court judgement will be written in the Villa.”
Kenneth Cole Uwahimire added, “Two APC lawyers have spoken the minds of their paymasters.”
Other commenters warned against Nigeria becoming a one-party system ahead of the 2027 elections.
The leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress remains before the Federal High Court, which is expected to deliver a final judgment on the matter.
