Nafiu Bala Gombe: 5 Things to Know About the Politician Behind INEC’s Deletion of ADC Leadership
- Nafiu Bala Gombe has been at the centre of several political disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- From his rise as a governorship candidate to his contested claims of party leadership, his journey reflects the turbulence of internal party politics in Nigeria
- Legit.ng highlights the key events, controversies, and legal battles that have shaped his political identity
Nafiu Bala Gombe has been a recent popular figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), especially around political developments in Gombe State.
His journey has been marked by candidacy, leadership claims, and disputes over party recognition.
Source: Twitter
Here are five key things to know about him:
1. Nafiu Bala Gombe as ex-ADC governorship candidate
In June 2022, The Guardian reported that Nafiu Bala, a lawyer, was affirmed as the ADC governorship candidate in Gombe State. He emerged with 300 delegates backing his candidacy. This marked his formal and reported entry into the spotlight of state-level politics.
2. Leadership crisis allegations in ADC
By July 2025, Bala declared himself the Interim National Chairman of the ADC. He stated: “As the duly elected National Deputy Chairman of our great party, I now assume my constitutional duty and responsibility as the Interim National Chairman of our great party.” He accused former leaders of abandoning their responsibilities and handing over party structures to “powerful outsiders.” Bala also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise his leadership.
3. ADC’s clarification on his membership
In August 2026, AriseTV reported that the ADC clarified Bala was not a registered member of the party. The leadership explained that his earlier inclusion in the National Executive Committee was a mistake. His resignation, dated July 21, 2025, had already been formally received and forwarded to INEC. The party described him as “a political merchant seeking undue attention.”
4. Court battles over ADC leadership
Bala has been involved in legal disputes over ADC leadership. In March, he threatened contempt proceedings against INEC’s chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN, for recognising Senator David Mark’s faction. Earlier, Bala had dragged Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ADC, INEC, and former chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu to court in July 2025. The Court of Appeal later dismissed an appeal challenging the trial court’s ruling, but ordered parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending further determination.
5. Public image and political identity
Despite his legal and political manoeuvres, Bala’s standing within the ADC remains contested. While he has positioned himself as a defender of the party’s constitution, the ADC leadership has reportedly distanced itself from him. His political identity is therefore shaped by both his claims to authority and the party’s rejection of those claims.
Nafiu Bala Gombe’s political journey highlights the complexities of internal party politics in Nigeria.
Source: Twitter
Alleged plot against ADC uncovered
Legit.ng earlier reported that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over what it describes as a plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to organise protests against its leadership under Senator David Mark.
National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged on his social media platforms that the APC had shifted tactics after failing to use the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to frustrate the party.
Source: Legit.ng
