A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State has announced the suspension of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Raji Zumo, the state’s factional chairman, announced the decision at a press conference on Monday.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and the party’s transition committee chairman, Sadiq Ibrahim, have been suspended.
According to a video of the press conference posted by Nigerian Affairs Journal, the factional chairman accused the affected individuals of fostering disunity and disregarding a court order.
He said, “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.
“Gentlemen of the press, the African Democratic Congress is built on discipline, justice, and the supremacy of law.
“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.
“One, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa; Engineer David Baba Lawal, Vice Chairman, North East; 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.
“This action is taken in the best interest of the party to restore order, protect its dignity, and reaffirm our commitment to democratic values.”
The development comes amid an ongoing leadership debate inside the ADC at the national level.
Nafiu Bala Gombe leads a group of the party that is vying for the job of ADC national chairperson.
The internal crisis has also been linked to disagreements over the party’s national leadership structure, which includes former Senate President David Mark.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission had earlier withdrawn recognition from the ADC’s leadership structure due to the conflict.
