3 persons lay claim to ADC chairmanship in Adamawa

The Adamawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has splintered into three rival factions, each claiming to hold the legitimate chairmanship of the party in the state. The division has pitted loyalists of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal against those of Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani, while the […]

The Adamawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has splintered into three rival factions, each claiming to hold the legitimate chairmanship of the party in the state.

The division has pitted loyalists of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal against those of Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani, while the incumbent chairman, Shehu Yohanna, insists he remains the substantive leader of the party.

Lawal’s bloc has endorsed Sadiq Dasin as chairman, while Binani’s group has thrown its weight behind Saidu Komsiri. Yohanna, however, maintains that he remains the duly recognised Adamawa ADC chairman.

Speaking with Daily Trust, Komsiri denied that the party had broken into factions, insisting that the situation had been exaggerated by the media.

“People think there are two leaderships of the ADC in Adamawa State, but that’s not true,” he said. “What we have are two structures left behind by the former exco, the Shehu Yohanna leadership and the Mustapha Arabi leadership, which the national working committee has since intervened in.”

Komsiri explained that the ADC national leadership set up committees across all state chapters, including Adamawa, to stabilise the party. These include a Transition Steering Committee, which serves an advisory role, and an Interim Caretaker Committee, responsible for the day-to-day administration of the party and for organising congresses ahead of 2026.

He alleged that some members of the steering committee were attempting to overstep their mandate and usurp the responsibilities of the caretaker committee.

“The grassroots stakeholders are against this because it breaches the party constitution. Each committee has its role, and none should act as judge, jury, and janitor at the same time,” Komsiri added.

However, Yohanna dismissed talk of factionalism, insisting that he remains the only recognised chairman of the party in Adamawa.

“What we have is a case between the mafia and the common man,” Yohanna said.

He accused some party elites of trying to hijack the structure by creating parallel committees and warned that such moves could destroy the ADC in the state.

Yohanna also addressed his earlier ultimatum to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying the PDP leader had not formally joined the ADC despite claims to the contrary.

“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has not picked up a membership card of the ADC. He cannot dictate what happens in a party he has not joined,” Yohanna said, adding that while Atiku is regarded as a coalition partner, only Binani and former Governor Jibrilla Bindow are registered members in the state.

He insisted, “ADC is one, under Comrade Shehu Yohanna as the substantive chairman. The attempt to create factions is a struggle between the powerful and the ordinary members.”

However, the party’s National Assistant Organising Secretary and North East Zonal Organising Secretary, Umar Bello Jada, said Atiku’s recent support for the Sadiq Dasin-led Transition Committee does not invalidate the legitimacy of the Komsiri-led caretaker committee.

Jada explained that the transition committee was established nationwide to handle mediation and reconciliation, while the caretaker committee was constituted to manage the party’s operations at the state level until new congresses are held.

He emphasised that none of the transition committee members were sworn in as state executives and, therefore, cannot function as such.

Atiku had earlier congratulated Sadiq Dasin and Blaise Hungushi Osagie on their inauguration as chairman and secretary of the Adamawa State Transition Implementation Committee. The ceremony, held on October 25, was presided over by ADC North East National Vice Chairman Babachir Lawal.

In a social media post, Atiku expressed confidence that the committee would strengthen the ADC’s internal structure and foster unity among members, urging stakeholders to build a credible opposition capable of offering better governance in Adamawa and across Nigeria.