Court Declares Nafiu Bala’s Purported Resignation Letter Fake as ADC Supporters Protest Mark, Atiku Judgment in Abuja
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A fresh twist has emerged in the lingering leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a purported resignation letter attributed to former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe, ruling that the document was not genuine evidence of his resignation.
The development came to public attention on Wednesday following the release of details contained in the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on November 5, 2026.In examining the disputed resignation letter, which the David Mark-led faction had relied upon to argue that Bala voluntarily relinquished his position,
Justice Lifu compared the signature on the document with signatures on Bala’s sworn court statements.The judge found material differences between the signatures and consequently ruled that the letter could not be accepted as reliable proof that Bala had resigned.
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The court specifically held that the certification of a document does not automatically establish the authenticity of a disputed signature.
The ruling is a significant development in the legal battle over the control of the ADC, particularly because Bala’s challenge questioned the process through which former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola emerged as national chairman and national secretary respectively.
ADC supporters take protest to Abuja courtMeanwhile, the atmosphere around the Federal High Court in Abuja turned tense on Wednesday as supporters and candidates of the ADC staged a protest over the November 5 judgment.
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The protesters, operating under the Forum of ADC Candidates, gathered at the court premises, blocked the entrance and disrupted normal activities while demanding the immediate release of the certified judgment.
They accused the court registry of delaying the release of the document despite an application by their lawyers and payment of the prescribed fees.The protesters argued that without the Certified True Copy, they could not effectively exercise their constitutional right to appeal the judgment.
Some of the demonstrators called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene, while the group also indicated plans to take its complaint to international institutions and diplomatic missions in Abuja.
What the judgment means for David Mark and AtikuIn the November 5 judgment, Justice Lifu declared the emergence of the David Mark-led caretaker leadership illegal, holding that the defendants failed to establish compliance with the democratic election requirements under Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.The court consequently nullified the leadership structure and decisions taken under it, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The ADC leadership has indicated its intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.The political battle is far from over
Wednesday’s developments have added another dimension to the crisis confronting the opposition party.While Nafiu Bala has secured a favourable ruling on the disputed resignation letter and the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership, the opposing faction is preparing to pursue its legal options.
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For now, the struggle over the ADC’s leadership, political structures and 2027 presidential ticket remains unresolved at the appellate level.As events continue to unfold,
Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the next phase of the legal battle shapes the future of one of the country’s major opposition platforms.
Headlineswave reports that the court judgment was delivered on November 5, 2026, while the details concerning the disputed resignation letter and the protest by ADC supporters became prominent on November 11.
The court rejected the letter as valid proof of resignation; this should not be confused with a separate criminal conviction for forgery.
The Mark-led faction has the right to challenge the judgment on appeal.
