The leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has deepened after the party’s Kano State chapter rejected the dissolution of its state executive committee by the national leadership, describing the move as unconstitutional and of no effect.
The development comes hours after the ADC’s Deputy National Chairman (North-West), Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed, announced the dissolution of the Kano State executive committee during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Kano.
Mohammed said the decision was taken in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act to address what she described as a leadership vacuum in the state chapter and safeguard the party’s future.
She also announced the appointment of a caretaker committee to oversee the party’s affairs in Kano, naming Alhaji Umar Bala as chairman and Isma’il Musa as secretary.
According to her, the caretaker committee will manage the party’s activities pending the emergence of a new executive through congresses.
“A political party is built on order, discipline and continuity. Without those pillars, confusion replaces organisation and uncertainty replaces confidence,” Mohammed said.
However, in a swift reaction, the elected Kano State executive committee dismissed the announcement, insisting that it remains the legitimate leadership of the party in the state.
The state executives argued that their tenure remains valid and that no organ of the party has the constitutional authority to dissolve an elected state executive without following due process and the provisions of the ADC constitution.
They described the purported dissolution as false, unconstitutional and an attempt to create unnecessary division within the party.
The Kano chapter also rejected the caretaker committee, maintaining that it has no legal standing under the party’s constitution.
The state leadership urged party members across Kano’s 44 local government areas to disregard the announcement and continue to recognise only the duly elected state executive.
“The elected executive committee remains intact, functional and committed to advancing the objectives of the party in Kano State. Members should ignore reports suggesting otherwise,” the state chapter said.
The latest disagreement highlights growing internal tensions within the ADC as the party continues efforts to strengthen its structures ahead of future elections.
Political observers say the public disagreement between the national leadership and the Kano State chapter could further deepen divisions within the party and affect its mobilisation efforts in one of Nigeria’s key political states if not resolved promptly.