The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa state, home state of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has suffered a major internal fracture as several key figures have left the party to pursue their political ambitions elsewhere.
What began as a power struggle over the state party structure had snowballed into three ADC factions in the northeastern state.
One of the factions is led by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and the other two by former senators Aishatu Ahmed, popularly known as Binani, and Ishaku Abbo.
The Binani and Abbo factions have now announced their departure from the ADC.
The Binani group was the first to announce a mass resignation of its members from the party. The development was announced in a communique signed by Mijiyewa Kugama and Saidu Komsiri, following a stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday.
The group cited alleged total collapse of internal democracy in the ADC and manipulation of recent party congresses as the primary reasons for its exit. It had rejected the newly “elected” leadership in Adamawa, labeling the entire process that produced it as a sham.
The group announced its “immediate and irreversible” departure from the ADC, effectively creating a vacuum in the party’s Adamawa chapter.
The faction led by former senator for Adamawa North Senatorial District, Mr Abbo, has taken the same step.
On Monday, Mr Abbo officially announced his defection from the ADC, urging his supporters to remain calm as he transitions to a new political platform.
“I will officially announce my (political) party this weekend. My supporters and those who want to run for office and win in 2027 should wait for me. I will lead you to victory.
“Peter Obi moved to the Labour Party barely 6 months before the election and won 12 states, the same as Tinubu whose party was in power for 8 unbroken years.
“President Faye of Senegal came out of prison two weeks before the elections and won the presidential election.
The former lawmaker had initially sought reconciliation in the party.
“While we pray for the quick resolution of the crises within the ADC, we the real stakeholders hope for the best but fully prepared for the worst. All our supporters should be on alert and fully prepare for the 2027 elections as I lead from the front.
“Dear youths, know this and have peace, politics is war, you don’t win by being nice,” Abbo stated.