“Nafiu Bala failed to honour my invitation” — Kwankwaso warns of risks to democracy

Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, has criticised Nafiu Bala over what he described as actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy, following Bala’s failure to attend a scheduled reconciliation meeting.

Kwankwaso, who recently defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the African Democratic Congress on March 30, 2026, made the remarks during an interview with DCL Hausa circulated on Tuesday.

The ADC has faced prolonged internal conflict since July 2025, when an opposition coalition assumed control of the party. The crisis centres on rival leadership claims between Bala and a faction led by David Mark. The dispute has escalated into legal proceedings, prompting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from both factions on April 1, citing a March 12 Court of Appeal ruling.

Kwankwaso said efforts to resolve the crisis were stalled after Bala failed to honour an invitation for dialogue.

According to him, the meeting was intended to provide an opportunity for private discussions and guidance aimed at resolving the leadership dispute. He described Bala’s absence as disappointing and said it raised concerns about his willingness to engage in reconciliation.

The former governor warned that the ongoing actions of the factional chairman could weaken both the party and the country’s democratic process. He noted that the ADC had experienced significant growth following the entry of prominent political figures and cautioned against actions that could reverse that progress.

Kwankwaso also called on stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political associates, to intervene and encourage Bala to reconsider his position.

He further claimed that documentary and photographic evidence exists regarding Bala’s prior involvement with the party’s current leadership structure, adding that such materials could have been presented if the meeting had taken place.

The ADC crisis remains unresolved, with both factions maintaining their claims amid regulatory and legal challenges.