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A fresh crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State as a faction of the party announced the suspension of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and Transition Committee Chairman Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin.
The decision was made public on Monday during a press briefing addressed by the factional chairman, Raji Zumo, who accused the trio of actions capable of destabilising the party’s structure in Adamawa.
“No Individual Is Above the Law”
In a video released shortly after the briefing, Zumo insisted that the move was necessary to restore discipline and protect the integrity of the party.
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“Let it be clearly stated, no individual, regardless of his status or influence, is above the law or the constitution of the African Democratic Congress, as long as he is a card-carrying member of the party,” Zumo declared.
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He continued: “Gentlemen of the press, the African Democratic Congress is built on discipline, justice, and the supremacy of law.”
The Charges
Zumo outlined the specific grounds for the suspension:
“In view of the foregoing and after executive consultation, the leadership of the ADC in Adamawa State hereby announces the immediate suspension of the following individuals from the party:
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Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa
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Engineer David Baba Lawal, Vice Chairman, North East
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Barrister Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin, Transition Committee Chairman
Those individuals are suspended for their roles in fostering disunity, creating parallel structures, undermining lawful authority, and disregarding a subsisting court order.”
He added: “This action is taken in the best interest of the party to restore order, protect its dignity, and reaffirm our commitment to democratic values.
A Party Already in Turmoil
The development comes at a time when the ADC is already embroiled in internal disagreements at the national level. A rival faction within the party has continued to challenge the leadership structure, with Nafiu Bala Gombe laying claim to the position of national chairman.
The crisis has also been linked to disputes surrounding the role of former Senate President David Mark in the party’s national leadership arrangement.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier stepped into the matter by withdrawing recognition from one of the party’s leadership factions, further complicating the situation.
Convention Looms Amid Chaos
Despite the growing tension, the faction aligned with David Mark has maintained that the party remains stable and focused. It also confirmed readiness for its planned national convention scheduled for Tuesday.
However, the latest action in Adamawa is expected to trigger swift reactions across the party, especially from loyalists of the suspended leaders.
What Next?
With Atiku Abubakar—a former Vice President and the party’s most prominent figure—now suspended by a state chapter, the ADC faces an existential crisis. Questions are already being raised about the legality of a state chapter suspending a national figure and whether the national leadership will ratify or reverse the decision.
As the leadership crisis continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the Tuesday convention to see which faction emerges with control of the party’s machinery.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as reactions from the suspended leaders and the national leadership emerge.
