The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vehemently denied allegations of financial inducement involving a high-profile attempt by former Senate President David Mark to influence the party’s internal structure. In a joint press conference held in Abuja on Friday, April 10, 2026, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, alongside the National Secretary, Alhaji Nafiu Bala, described the bribery claims as “malicious fabrications” designed to destabilize the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The denial follows a week of intense internal friction within the party, sparked by reports of a “hostile takeover” attempt by political actors previously associated with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), allegedly led by Senator David Mark.
The crisis erupted when a faction within the African Democratic Congress claimed that a substantial sum of money had changed hands to facilitate a leadership change that would align the party with a broader opposition coalition. However, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu clarified that while the party remains open to “strategic alliances” with prominent Nigerian statesmen, such discussions have never involved the exchange of bribes or the compromising of the party’s founding principles. Nwosu maintained that the ADC is not a “commodity for sale” and that any insinuation that he or the National Secretary, Nafiu Bala, received gratification to hand over the party’s machinery to David Mark is an affront to their political integrity and the trust of their millions of members across the country.
Alhaji Nafiu Bala, the National Secretary, further explained that the “Takeover Row” is a misinterpretation of a series of consultative meetings held to discuss the future of the Nigerian opposition. He noted that the ADC has become an attractive platform for many “political heavyweights” who are disillusioned with the current state of the nation, but emphasized that entry into the party is governed by strict constitutional guidelines. Bala challenged those making the bribery allegations to provide concrete evidence to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or keep silent. He argued that the rumors were likely sponsored by “external detractors” who are intimidated by the ADC’s growing profile as the nation’s preferred “Third Force” in the current political landscape.
Political analysts suggest that the “David Mark Row” is a symptom of the broader realignments occurring within the Nigerian political space as the 2027 cycle approaches. Experts observe that the ADC’s relative stability and national spread make it a prime target for established politicians seeking a new vehicle to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Analysts argue that for the ADC to survive this crisis, the leadership under Nwosu and Bala must ensure total transparency in their dealings with “new entrants” to avoid alienating the party’s original base. The “Bribery Narrative,” even if unproven, has the potential to damage the party’s “anti-corruption” brand if not handled with decisive administrative clarity and internal reconciliation.
The broader implications of this denial point toward an intensifying struggle for the soul of the Nigerian opposition. As David Mark’s role in the party remains a subject of intense speculation, the African Democratic Congress faces the challenge of maintaining its “ideological purity” while expanding its ranks. The refusal of the leadership to succumb to the “Takeover” narrative suggests that the party is determined to maintain its independence from the old guard of Nigerian politics. For the Nigerian electorate, the crisis serves as a reminder of the “High-Stakes Horse-Trading” that defines the pre-election season. As the ADC moves to consolidate its internal structures, the focus remains on whether the Nwosu-led executive can successfully navigate the pressures of high-level political integration without triggering a formal split in the party.
