Ali's radical Marxist faction gained dominance over the more moderate President Qahtan al-Shaabi's elements, allowing Ali to seize power; he retained the title of Chairman of the Presidential Council throughout his term, even as the NLF changed the name of the country from the People's Republic of South Yemen to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1970.

[citation needed] Ali's National Front joined with other parties in 1975, creating the United Political Organisation NF (التنظيم السياسي الموحد الجبهة القومية), all rival parties having been outlawed earlier.

He opposed the idea of the Yemeni Socialist Party's (YSP) future creation promoted by Abdul Fattah Ismail.

He appointed Muhammad Ali Haitham as his Prime Minister when he became chairman.

In 1978, the collective leadership of the YSP led by Abdul Fattah Ismail overthrew and executed Ali.