Atiku Not Our Member, Can’t Contest Under ADC — Factional Chairman Nafiu Bala Rejects INEC List

The factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Nafiu Bala, has rejected the inclusion of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s name on the party’s presidential list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Bala, who spoke in an interview, said Atiku is not a registered member of the ADC and is not known to the authentic leadership of the party.

“What is surprising is seeing the name of someone who is not a member of the ADC, Atiku Abubakar, who did not register with us, who the ADC does not know, appearing on the candidate list,” Bala said.

He accused Atiku, former Senate President David Mark and their allies of entering the party through the backdoor to hijack its structure.

According to him, those parading themselves as leaders of the ADC and submitting names to INEC did not obtain a stay of execution from the court, yet INEC continues to act on their list.

“We have notified the court that these people claiming to have appealed did not get an order to stop the judgment. Within these two days that courts are returning from their annual recess, we will take urgent action. We will never allow an outsider entering through the window to use the name of ADC,” he said.

Bala said the ADC will not allow anyone to use its platform to embarrass Nigeria globally or pursue power at all costs.

When asked who the intruders are, Bala said: “Those claiming to be Atiku Abubakar, alongside David Mark and all those coming in through illegal means. The world knows these individuals are not ADC members and are not eligible to contest under the ADC.”

He also condemned statements credited to one Bola Abdullahi who spoke on behalf of the ADC, allegedly saying it is “do or die” and that the country will be destabilized if they are not given the ticket.

“The ADC is not a party for destroying the nation. He should follow democratic guidelines if he wants democracy. If he wants to continue his games, it won’t be in the ADC,” Bala said.

On the legitimate presidential candidate of the party, Bala insisted that Professor Chris Imumolen remains the authentic candidate of the ADC.

He said the party zoned its presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria to promote national unity.

“Professor Chris Imumolen is the legitimate ADC presidential candidate. Anyone coming to say he is seeking power at all costs, like Atiku Abubakar saying he will restore subsidy, is deceiving Nigerians. He did it in PDP, he did it in many parties,” he said.

Bala described promises to restore fuel subsidy and open borders overnight as political deceit, saying those who sold government assets when they were in power plunged the country into its current crisis.

He also called on veteran politicians to retire from active politics and allow younger generation to lead.

“I am 50 years old. We are young leaders. These elders should go and rest, or we will politically sideline them. The ADC is bigger than them. My advice is they should go home and wait for their gratuity. If we get the mandate, we will take care of them,” he said.

Bala maintained that the only way to contest under the ADC is to follow the constitution of the party.

“The only way is to follow the constitution of ADC. You cannot just come from somewhere because you held a position before and trample on others. We will not be bullied. Regardless of your status or age, we will fight this to the end,” he added.

INEC is yet to react to the internal crisis rocking the ADC over its presidential candidate list.