Who is Nafiu Bala, the ADC Politician from Gombe?

Nafiu Bala was born approximately 35 years ago in Nassarawo Ward, within the Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State, according to information obtained by Daily Trust.

While specific details regarding his formative years and academic pursuits are not extensively documented, individuals residing in the Nassarawo area of Gombe metropolis indicated that Bala attended Nassarawo Primary and Junior Secondary School. He subsequently enrolled in the Government Day Technical College (Vocational), Gombe, where he completed his Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) examinations in 2010.

Following this, he pursued further studies at AD Rufai College for Legal and Islamic Studies in Misau, Bauchi State, successfully obtaining a Diploma in Law in 2012.

Bala's professional journey largely involved volunteer work at private law firms in Gombe. He is reported to have transitioned into partisan politics, initially joining the defunct Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), a political entity founded by the former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa.

After a brief engagement with the DPP, he is said to have moved to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) before eventually joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Under the banner of the ADC, he vied for the governorship of Gombe State in the 2023 general elections. However, he was unsuccessful, finishing behind the incumbent Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside other contenders.

Mustapha Hadi, an ADC stalwart in Gombe, informed Daily Trust that Bala's political profile significantly increased after his participation in the 2023 governorship race. Bala actively contested the election results, pursuing legal challenges up to the Supreme Court.

"After losing the governorship election in 2023, he challenged the outcome from the tribunal all the way to the Supreme Court, where he ultimately did not prevail," Hadi stated.

Hadi further explained that Bala's protracted legal engagement over the election results garnered national attention, subsequently positioning him within the national leadership structure of the ADC.

In addition, a relative of Nafiu Bala, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared with Daily Trust that the politician originates from a modest background.

"I have known Nafiu Bala since his childhood. He comes from a very humble background. He entered politics some years ago but was not a major political figure. However, after the 2023 elections, he began to project an image of greater influence, even relocating his wife to Kaduna while he resides in Abuja.

"Furthermore, during the recent Sallah festivities, Bala arrived in Gombe with a substantial convoy of SUVs, accompanied by security escorts and other trappings of prominence," the relative added.

During an interview with Daily Trust, Nafiu Bala refuted claims suggesting that his faction within the ADC was receiving sponsorship or influence from elements within the ruling APC to undermine the party's coalition efforts.

"This assertion is entirely unfounded. How can I be accused of such a thing? You came into my party and accused me of being sponsored to dismantle it. I am a registered member of the ADC and have been affiliated with the party for approximately ten years. Now, you arrive and expect to push me out?

"In reality, they are not in a position to level such accusations, as, according to the party's constitution, they are not members. They came with the intention to disrupt our party, yet they complain that I am the one being sponsored to ruin my own party? This is a baseless and unsubstantiated claim," Bala responded.

Bala, who identifies himself as the national chairman of the ADC, expressed his desire for the constitution of the African Democratic Congress to be upheld by individuals seeking to join the party.

"Therefore, if David Mark wishes for us to resolve this matter, following Ralph Nwosu's resignation, Nafiu Bala, as the deputy national chairman, is constitutionally designated to serve as the acting national chairman, a role he has held from that day until the present.

"We are not expressing a dislike for David Mark, nor are we stating that we will not collaborate with them. However, we are emphasizing that the process by which they joined the party is flawed."