“A Threat To Our Democracy”: Jaafar Jaafar Slams Plot Against ADC, Says Nafiu Bala Resigned And Returned To Cause Crisis

Veteran journalist and founder of Daily Nigerian, Jaafar Jaafar, has issued a stern warning over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, condemning what he described as coordinated plots and systemic manipulation targeting opposition parties.

Speaking on the weekly current affairs programme, Fashin Baki, Jaafar addressed the recent  federal high court judgement on African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis and factional chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

He expressed deep concern over how political opportunists exploit vulnerabilities within smaller parties through forged documents and compromised electoral processes.

“It is deeply unsettling, knowing that some people are manipulating the system to favor certain individuals. This poses a major threat to democracy in this country. Where is our democracy heading — forward or backward?” Jaafar asked.

“We shouldn’t just talk about these actions as if they are only committed by youth. Big players, even before stepping up, have become corrupt and reckless. Pardon my choice of words, but it is truly regrettable for Nigeria’s democracy.”

“Winning an election doesn’t require destroying someone else’s world; you can achieve things legitimately,” he stated.

Jaafar challenged political manipulators to direct their tactics toward the ruling party if they truly considered themselves brave, noting a glaring double standard where the ruling party is immune to such orchestrated internal takeovers.

“With all these tensions happening, Bulama, the question is: why don’t you ever see this happen in the ruling party? You will never hear of someone who didn’t join a party, didn’t run for office, didn’t buy a nomination form, and did nothing at all, suddenly claiming to be the candidate just because they see the opposition party as vulnerable, going as far as fabricating court and INEC certified true copies.”

“Colluding with INEC officials — isn’t that obvious? You will never hear of this happening to the APC. It only happens to smaller parties like… ADC. Yes, ADC, or other smaller parties. If those behind this act consider themselves brave, let them try it with the ruling party, and then we will see true bravery.”

Focusing specifically on Nafiu Bala, Jaafar criticized the factional chairman’s actions, pointing out that Bala had previously resigned from the party yet returned to instigate division.

“Bulama, I believe there are times we must set aside the cloak of false neutrality. When someone does wrong, we must speak out clearly without shielding them. What Nafiu is doing is wrong; he resigned from the party and yet came back to cause internal crisis.”

“As a youth leader who should be a role model for the younger generation, how will our country’s democracy advance with this kind of behavior?”

“Therefore, I think he needs to reflect deeply. Anyone with common sense knows this is a calculated plot he is running with certain individuals. He needs to think about the future of his own children, remembering that karma might one day catch up with them.”

“As the saying goes, ‘what goes around comes around.’ Sometimes God allows a person to rise only to strip them away later as a warning. Eventually, the consequences of past wrongdoings catch up with you, bringing hardships in life.”

Jaafar concluded with a passionate appeal against the injustice faced by genuine candidates who spend time and resources legitimately securing electoral tickets, only to be subverted overnight by individuals conniving with electoral and judicial processes.

“My appeal goes out to those who act without the fear of God — people who put in immense effort and struggle to legitimately win a ticket, only for someone else to show up overnight, collude with INEC officials, fabricate falsehoods, head to court, and claim victory. And these aren’t isolated incidents; I am pointing out similar cases where others have found themselves trapped.”