Factional African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader Nafiu Bala Gombe says he is paying for his security arrangements and the party’s leadership court case with income from his business interests, rejecting suggestions that he is being sponsored by outside political actors.
Bala made the remarks on Saturday while responding to questions about the source of his faction’s funds and his decision to challenge the party’s leadership in court. The dispute is part of a prolonged crisis involving a rival faction led by former Senate President David Mark.
Members and supporters of the opposing camp have accused Bala of working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency to destabilise the ADC and weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bala said his faction relied mainly on membership dues and contributions from its internal activities. He added that he was a businessman with other sources of income and could meet his personal and legal expenses.
Defending his security arrangements, he said he had the same right to personal protection as other prominent politicians.
Bala said his decision to take the leadership dispute to court was motivated by a desire to uphold the party’s constitution and the rule of law, rather than by political popularity, financial influence or personal ambition.
He also explained why the names of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Mark remained on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) portal despite the court proceedings. Bala said INEC would take appropriate action after receiving a certified true copy of the judgment, suggesting the commission might not yet have received the official documents.
He rejected claims that INEC was deliberately delaying action, saying the names’ presence on the portal did not mean the commission was disregarding the court’s decision.
Bala also dismissed arguments that the large crowds drawn by the ADC at political events in Sokoto and Kebbi should have persuaded him to withdraw the case.
“I went to court with only the Constitution. I told the world that if they had followed the right procedures, the court should rule in their favour. But if we were right, we should be given our rights,” he said.
He argued that political popularity, connections and financial resources should not place anyone above the law. Nigeria, he said, could not make meaningful progress if influential people were allowed to disregard established rules.
The factional leader accused some people involved in the leadership dispute of circulating false documents claiming he had resigned, describing the reports as misleading.
On his relationship with Atiku, Bala said he regarded the former vice-president as a father figure because they came from the same geopolitical zone. He said he was disappointed that Atiku had not contacted him personally during the prolonged crisis, adding that some party members continued to portray him as an enemy of the ADC.
Bala said his faction had directed its aspirants to continue campaigning for the 2027 general elections, despite the legal dispute.
He urged members of the opposing faction to be patient and respect the judicial process. He also called on them to complete their membership registration in their respective wards in accordance with the party’s constitution.
Bala further advised Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used to fuel political confrontations, saying disagreements should be resolved through democratic institutions rather than violence.
