Bala made the clarification while responding to questions about the source of his faction’s funding and his decision to challenge the leadership of the party in court amid the protracted crisis involving the faction led by former Senate President David Mark.
The factional leader has faced accusations from members and supporters of the opposing camp of working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency to destabilise the ADC and weaken its opposition structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, Bala, in comments on Saturday, maintained that his faction relied mainly on membership dues and contributions generated through its internal activities.
He also said he was a businessman with other sources of income, arguing that he had the financial capacity to meet his personal and legal expenses.
Defending his security arrangements, Bala said he had the same right to personal protection as other prominent politicians, dismissing questions surrounding the resources used to maintain his security.
On the legal battle over the ADC leadership, Bala insisted that his decision to approach the court was based on the need to uphold the party’s constitution and the rule of law, rather than political popularity, financial influence or personal ambition.
He also explained why the names of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mark remained on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) portal despite the court proceedings.
According to him, INEC would take appropriate action after receiving the certified true copy of the judgment, suggesting that the commission might not yet have received the official court documents.
He rejected suggestions that the electoral body was deliberately delaying action, maintaining that the presence of the names on the portal should not be interpreted as evidence that INEC was disregarding the court’s decision.
Bala also dismissed arguments that the large crowds attracted by the ADC during political activities in Sokoto and Kebbi should have persuaded him to withdraw the case.
Explaining his position, he said: “I went to court with only the Constitution. I told the world that if they had followed the right procedures, the court should rule in their favour. But if we were right, we should be given our rights.”
He argued that political popularity, connections and financial resources should not place anyone above the law, warning that Nigeria could not make meaningful progress if influential individuals were allowed to disregard established rules.
The factional leader also accused some individuals involved in the leadership dispute of circulating false documents claiming that he had resigned from his position, describing the reports as misleading.
On his relationship with Atiku, Bala said he regarded the former vice president as a father figure because they both came from the same geopolitical zone.
However, he expressed disappointment that Atiku had not personally reached out to him despite the prolonged leadership crisis, adding that some party members continued to portray him as an enemy of the ADC.
Bala disclosed that his faction had directed all its aspirants to continue campaigning ahead of the 2027 general elections, indicating that the legal dispute would not halt its political activities.
He also appealed to members of the opposing faction to exercise patience and respect the judicial process, urging them to complete their membership registration in their respective wards in accordance with the party’s constitution.
The factional leader further advised Nigerian youths against allowing themselves to be used to fuel political confrontations, insisting that disagreements should be resolved through democratic institutions rather than violence.
