Nafiu Bala: ADC Won’t Field Candidates Above 55 in Future Elections

Nafiu Bala, ex-deputy national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the party would bar individuals above 55 years of age from seeking elective positions under his leadership.

Bala, who is laying claim to the leadership of the party, spoke during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.

He said the policy is aimed at giving younger Nigerians an opportunity to lead.

“Under my leadership, anyone above the age of 55 will not be eligible to contest for office under the ADC,” he said.

“We are giving the youth their rightful chance to lead.”

Bala said the move reflects his plan to reposition the party and Nigeria’s leadership structure.

“It is time to show these elders, some of whom are between 75 and 90 years old, that the era of the youth has arrived,” he added.

‘THEY ARE NOT EVEN MEMBERS OF ADC’

He insisted that some politicians who fancy themselves leaders of the party are not legitimate members of the platform.

“It is necessary for us to speak out. People who are not even members of our party are claiming leadership,” he said.

“Article 9 of our constitution clearly outlines the procedure for becoming a registered member of the ADC.

“One cannot simply receive a membership card at an event and be declared a leader. Such an act is a direct violation of our constitutional process. Officially, these individuals are not members of our party because they did not follow due process.”

On July 2, 2025, Bala was among stakeholders who attended the party’s unveiling of the interim leadership of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

Bala, however, said he did not attend the unveiling of Mark to endorse the former senate president as ADC national chairman.

“I attended the event, but not with the intention of endorsing David Mark as our leader,” he said.

“My purpose was to support those adopting the ADC as the platform they would join to challenge the current administration.

“The post I made on social media was simply to welcome them and express my willingness to collaborate.”

ON BOTCHED MEETING WITH KWANKWASO

He also dismissed reports of a meeting with Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano.

On Tuesday, Kwankwaso said he had invited Bala to meet with him in a bid to resolve the impasse amicably, but the factional chairman failed to show up.

“Regarding the meeting hosted by Kwankwaso, he invited David Mark, Musa Ungoggo, and others to his home,” Bala said.

“However, any membership card signed by David Mark is illegal, as David Mark himself is not a recognised leader under our statutes.

“Even if Musa Ungoggo, the state chairman, was present, it does not validate a process that bypassed our legal framework.

​“As the legitimate leader of the ADC, I am currently overseeing our preparations for the upcoming elections. My goal is to lead the ADC to victory at both the gubernatorial and presidential levels.

“Given the weight of this responsibility, I am not a person who can simply be summoned to a private residence on a whim.”

He alleged that some party members disrespected him.

“They have referred to me as a ‘small boy’ and a ‘son of nobody’,” he said.

Bala also claimed the courts have ruled on the ADC leadership dispute.

“The judiciary has already spoken. They appealed the case, but the court dismissed their appeal and fined them N2 million,” he added.

“Furthermore, the court directed INEC to remove their names and cease all communication with them regarding party affairs.

“If they truly want peace within the party, they must go back and register through the proper legal channels.”