Adamawa crisis: ADC upholds Babachir Lawal-backed faction, warns against indiscipline

The national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has waded into the leadership tussle rocking its Adamawa State chapter, affirming the faction loyal to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, as the authentic one. Daily Trust reports that the party has splintered into three rival factions, each claiming to […]

The national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has waded into the leadership tussle rocking its Adamawa State chapter, affirming the faction loyal to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, as the authentic one.

Daily Trust reports that the party has splintered into three rival factions, each claiming to hold the legitimate chairmanship of the party in the state.

Lawal’s bloc, which also include former Adamawa governor Jibrilla Bindow, Senators Abdul-Aziz Nyako and Elisha Abbo, has endorsed Sadiq Dasin as chairman, while Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani’s group has thrown its weight behind Saidu Komsiri. Shehu Yohanna, the chairman before the coalition took over ADC, however, maintains that he remains the duly recognised Adamawa ADC chairman.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also threw his weight behind the Dasin faction, saying on social media: “It is my hope and prayer that their inauguration will strengthen our party’s structure and unify all ADC members in Adamawa State. I fully and unequivocally support this leadership as inaugurated.”

Komsiri, however, rejected the development, insisting that his faction remains the legitimate one and pledging to reconcile aggrieved members. “I’ll reconcile aggrieved members and promote unity among all stakeholders,” he said at a press briefing in Yola.

But in a statement on Wednesday, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had, after investigations, recognised Dasin as the interim chairman in line with its earlier directive for interim state executives.

“It has come to the notice of the national headquarters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that there appears to be a growing division in the ranks of the party leadership in Adamawa State,” the statement read in part.

“It will be recalled that at its meeting of October 8, 2025, the NWC approved that interim executive committees be set up to manage the affairs of the party in the states for now.

“After due investigations, the party considers the Saturday, October 25, process supervised by the National Vice Chairman for the North East, which produced Barrister Sadiq Dasin as the interim party chairman in Adamawa State, to be in line with the NWC approval and guidelines.”

The party urged all members involved in parallel arrangements to “have a rethink and follow the path of reconciliation,” while encouraging Dasin to “extend the hand of fellowship to all and address genuine grievances.”

Abdullahi added that while the party remains committed to fairness and justice, it would not tolerate any act of indiscipline capable of undermining efforts to strengthen its internal democracy.