David Mark, Aregbesola, others must follow due process to join ADC – Bala faction

The Gombe faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that former Senate President David Mark, ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other opposition leaders must follow due process before being recognised as members of the party.

Acting National Chairman of the faction, Nafiu Bala, through his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Abimiku Monday, stated on Tuesday that the Mark and Aregbesola-led interim leadership could only be accepted if they joined through the proper legal structures of the ADC.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Monday said the faction remained open to alignment but would not allow what it described as an “attempt to hijack the structure.”

He explained that the ADC constitution clearly spells out procedures for membership through electoral wards and recognition of the existing Bala-led structure.

“We are not saying they are not welcome. Politics is about interaction, alignment, realignment, disagreement and agreement. But they must follow the legal process of joining the party before any discussions can take place,” Monday said.

The development comes months after a coalition of opposition leaders, including Atiku, El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Babachir Lawal and Peter Obi, adopted the ADC as a platform and installed David Mark as interim national chairman, with Aregbesola as interim national secretary.

The Bala-led faction, however, rejected the move and subsequently filed a legal action challenging the coalition’s takeover of the party structure.