Gombe ADC leaders pressure Bala to withdraw suit against Mark

there are moves by some leaders of the African Democratic Congress and stakeholders in Gombe State to persuade the factional National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, to withdraw his lawsuit against the leadership of former Senate President, David Mark.

Sources familiar with the development disclosed that some stakeholders had been reaching out to Bala’s parents to speak with him on dropping the suit.

An insider, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said the move was intensified by the defection of a Kogi State member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, from the ADC to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“People are talking to him to withdraw the suit, and they are making progress on it,” he said.

Confirming the intervention efforts, the Chairman of the ADC in Gombe State, Keftin Amuga, told Sunday PUNCH that prominent figures, including family members, had stepped in to persuade Bala to drop the case, which he described as damaging to the party’s image.

He said, “It’s true; I’m aware that there are such moves because it’s embarrassing us in Gombe. Forget about the leadership matter, I was told even his mother, about two weeks ago, called and told him that his actions were unnecessary.

“He had agreed to withdraw it but didn’t do so even when he got to Abuja. People in Gombe, particularly the Fulani-speaking part which Nafiu Bala belongs to, are embarrassed. Atiku, who is a Fulani man, is embarrassed.”

However, Bala’s camp denied the report, dismissing it as false and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief of Staff, Bala Kumo, the faction insisted that Bala remained committed to pursuing the case to its logical conclusion, rejecting claims of any planned withdrawal.

“This is a malicious and calculated attempt to malign the character and integrity of Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe. For the record, Bala remains firmly committed to the pending matter before the Federal High Court.

“He has not indicated any intention to withdraw the suit or to seek reconciliation outside the due process of law. Any claim to the contrary is fabricated.

“Again, there is no credible threat to his life or that of his family. The insinuation of danger is a deliberate falsehood designed to generate public sympathy and discredit his legitimate claim.”

Kumo also refuted allegations linking Bala to claims that Abejide was financially induced to abandon the ADC, describing such insinuations as unfounded.

“Bala did not accuse Hon. Leke Abejide of abandonment or inducement. The attempt to drag the name of a respected political figure into this fiction is mischievous.

“He remains resolute in his pursuit of justice through lawful means. He will address the public at the appropriate time and through proper channels,” he added.

The leadership tussle within the ADC has been the subject of protracted litigation, with the courts playing a central role in determining control of the party structure.

The Supreme Court had on Thursday set aside a controversial “status quo ante bellum” order that removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.

But the apex court returned the substantive matter filed by Bala to the Federal High Court.

With the core issues still to be decided at the lower court, there are fears that the final outcome could disrupt the ADC leadership at a critical moment in the election cycle.