The internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress deepened on Tuesday as a factional leader, Nafiu Bala Gombe, launched a fresh attack on former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, accusing him of acting as a mole for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Bala’s outburst marks a new twist in the festering leadership tussle within the opposition party, which has recently become a rallying platform for political actors seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The crisis has pitched Bala’s faction against another bloc reportedly aligned with former Senate President, David Mark, with both sides laying claim to the party’s leadership.
The latest exchange followed comments by Kwankwaso, who recently defected to the ADC and criticised Bala for allegedly ignoring his invitation to a reconciliation meeting aimed at resolving the lingering dispute.
Speaking during an interview on DCL Hausa, Kwankwaso had also downplayed Bala’s standing, describing him as a young politician who failed to heed what he termed “fatherly advice.”
But in a sharp rebuttal, Bala dismissed the remarks and questioned Kwankwaso’s motives, warning him to stay clear of the party’s internal affairs.
He said, “Kwankwaso has no right to interfere in our leadership issues. His actions suggest he is working against the interest of this party.”
The factional leader also refuted claims about his age, insisting he is 46, not 35 as alleged, and argued that age should not be a basis for political relevance.
“Even if I were younger, that does not give anyone the right to look down on me,” he said, adding that many prominent Nigerian leaders assumed positions of authority at relatively young ages.
Bala further urged older politicians to relinquish frontline roles and allow younger leaders to steer the affairs of political parties, while they offer guidance from the background.
According to him, “The older generation should step aside and give room for youths to lead. They can remain as advisers rather than dominate the system.”
He also recalled events leading up to the 2023 elections, alleging that northern political leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, had appealed to Kwankwaso to step down in the interest of regional political unity, a move he claimed the former governor rejected.
“Having refused to yield at that time, he lacks the moral authority to lecture me now or attempt to intimidate me. I cannot be bullied,” Bala declared.
The war of words underscores deepening divisions within the ADC, raising fresh concerns over the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 electoral contest.