According to a report by Daily Post on Thursday, April 9, 2026, Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, has maintained that Nafiu Bala is the legitimate National Chairman of the party and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to officially recognise him in that role.
Abejide made the statement while addressing journalists during a protest in Abuja on Thursday organised by the faction of the ADC loyal to Bala.
He used the opportunity to restate his position on the leadership dispute within the party and to reject claims that have questioned Bala’s standing.
He explained that Bala did not leave the party’s National Executive Committee, unlike other members who, according to him, stepped aside from their positions.
Abejide said this distinction made Bala the only executive still entitled to be regarded as occupying the office of chairman at the national level.
The lawmaker added that the matter should not be complicated further, insisting that INEC had a responsibility to reflect the situation as he described it.
He said the electoral body should treat Bala as the authentic national chairman and act accordingly.
The protest by Bala’s supporters formed part of the public pressure being mounted around the ongoing disagreement over who should be recognised as leading the ADC.
The group gathered in Abuja to press its case and to draw attention to what it sees as the correct position on the party’s top leadership.
Abejide’s comments came amid the broader internal contest in the party, where different interests have continued to advance competing claims over authority and representation.
His remarks were focused on Bala’s status and the need, in his view, for the official records to align with that position.
He said, “Nafiu Bala was the only party executive who did not resign. INEC should do the honourable thing by putting his name as the authentic National Chairman of the ADC, nothing more.”