Amid the controversy, viral videos obtained by TheCable revealed Bala’s attendance at the ADC unveiling of the Mark-led leadership in July 2025.

In a statement on Tuesday, Bala acknowledged his presence but insisted there was no prior agreement to appoint the Mark-led leadership.

He accused Nwosu of imposing the Mark-led executives on party members without consultation with the national working committee (NWC).

However, the crisis rocking the party took a dramatic twist on Tuesday when the ADC state chairmen forum rejected the factions led by Mark and Bala.

Speaking on behalf of the forum at a news conference in Abuja, Don Obinna, chairman of the ADC in Abia, said Mark and Bala “hijacked” the party from “bonafide” members.

He backed INEC’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the Mark and Bala factions following an interim ruling by the appeal court.

Speaking on Tuesday night during an interview on Arise Television, Nwosu dismissed claims that some stakeholders were excluded from the process that produced the current leadership.

He said media records and party proceedings clearly show that those now raising objections were actively involved in the events leading up to the leadership change.

“I know that in some of your reels, you have all the activities we carried out from 2024 to 2025, including what happened in 2025 when David Mark became chairman. All the state chairmen were part of the programme,” he said.

Nwosu explained that the aggrieved members had earlier written to INEC, expressing their desire to return to the party, on the basis of which the electoral body facilitated an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process.

According to him, the outcome of the ADR led to their reintegration into the party and participation in subsequent activities.

“We reabsorbed them, and all the programmes that took place in 2024 and 2025, culminating in David Mark becoming the national chairman, involved them. They were part of it,” he said.

He specifically referenced the July 2 event at the Yar’Adua Centre, noting that Bala and other state chairmen were in the room.

“They were all there, clapping, Nafiu and all the state chairmen. If you check your July 2 reel, you will see them,” he added.

Nwosu further stated that a national executive committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, had a clear and widely circulated agenda focused on selecting new leadership.

“INEC had the agenda, and all the states had it as well. We had about five different meetings, and they were all present,” he said.

He also noted that members of the legacy ADC were fairly represented in the new leadership structure.

“In the current leadership of the ADC, out of about 29 members, eight were from the legacy ADC, which is a fair share. Dr Ajadi, who is from the old ADC, is now a deputy chairman, and the national treasurer, Dr Mani, is also part of the leadership,” he said.

Reiterating his position, Nwosu maintained that all relevant stakeholders, including INEC and other agencies, were present throughout the process.

“The truth is that from Bala to all the state chairmen, they were there. You can go back to the archives and confirm this. All the relevant agencies were present, and INEC was also there,” he said.