Alleged plot to replace Adamawa ADC candidate, Omarana, sparks protest

A fresh political crisis has engulfed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State following allegations that some bigwigs within the party are pushing hard to replace its governorship candidate, Ambassador Engineer Omar Suleiman (Omarana). The ADC protesters in their numbers staged a peaceful demonstration in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, on Wednesday, registering their […]

A fresh political crisis has engulfed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State following allegations that some bigwigs within the party are pushing hard to replace its governorship candidate, Ambassador Engineer Omar Suleiman (Omarana).

The ADC protesters in their numbers staged a peaceful demonstration in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, on Wednesday, registering their dismay over the alleged move to replace their gubernatorial hopeful for the 2027 general elections.

They converged in the early hours of the day and marched through various locations, including major roads and public institutions, displaying placards with inscriptions such as “No to Candidate Substitution,” “Respect Party Democracy,” and “Omarana is Our Candidate,” among many others.

The protesters insisted that Omarana remains the legitimate flag bearer of the ADC in Adamawa State, calling on the party’s national leadership to resist what they described as “external interference” and uphold the outcome of the party’s primary.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Masu Umar, Chairman of Frontier Movement Nationwide, said that any attempt to substitute the candidate could destabilize the party ahead of the governorship election, urging stakeholders to respect internal democratic processes.

Umar insisted that the mandate given to their preferred candidate must be respected, stressing that any attempt to alter the outcome of internal party processes would be resisted through lawful means.

Corroborating his position, a party stalwart and ADC woman leader, Miss Damaris Yalawa, urged the party leadership to ensure that Omarana is allowed to contest for the governorship position because he was the one elected through a recognized electoral process.

Yalawa called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure strict compliance with electoral guidelines governing party nominations, warning that any attempt to change the will of the people would not be accepted.

Another party supporter, Hajiya Alisha Hamisu, noted that the party is facing a trying moment that needs to be tackled with caution in the interest of the people and the party, considering the forthcoming election in 2027.

Hamisu expressed displeasure with the development, saying it may affect the chances of the party if not addressed on time, and called on all stakeholders to help ensure peace and harmony prevail within the party.

The demonstrators also warned that failure by relevant authorities to address their concerns promptly could lead to further action, though they reiterated their commitment to peaceful engagement and dialogue.

They vowed to continue mobilizing support and exploring legitimate channels to defend what they described as the collective will of ADC members in Adamawa State, while urging party stakeholders to act swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating into a broader internal crisis.

Political observers in the state are of the view that the uproar may not be unconnected with the feud between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal over party control in the state—a rift that predates the emergence of the candidates.