A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State has announced the suspension of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, alongside ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, deepening the party’s ongoing internal crisis.
The decision was made public on Monday during a press briefing in Yola by a factional chairman, Raji Zumo, who accused the affected leaders of actions capable of destabilising the party.
Also affected by the suspension is the chairman of the party’s transition committee, Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin, who was linked to a controversial congress conducted despite a subsisting court order.
Zumo said the move followed consultations within the faction’s leadership and was aimed at restoring discipline and order within the party.
“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,” he declared.
He further stressed the party’s commitment to internal discipline, adding, “African Democratic Congress is built on discipline, justice, and the supremacy of law.”
Announcing the sanctions, Zumo stated: “In view of the foregoing and after executive consultation, the leadership of the ADC in Adamawa State hereby announces the immediate suspension of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Engineer Babachir Lawal, and Barrister Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin.”
According to him, the trio were penalised for “fostering disunity, creating parallel structures, undermining lawful authority, and disregarding a subsisting court order.”
The latest development is tied to a disputed round of congresses in the state, reportedly conducted by a committee led by Lawal, in defiance of a court directive halting the exercise.
Before the congresses, a former state chairman, Yohanna Shehu, had approached a High Court in Yola, alleging exclusion from the process. The court subsequently ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.
Despite the injunction, the congresses went ahead, resulting in the emergence of Dasin as chairman—an outcome now being challenged by opposing factions within the party.
Zumo accused both Atiku and Lawal of either contributing to the crisis or failing to intervene to prevent it, noting that their influence in the state placed a greater responsibility on them to uphold party unity.
The suspensions come amid a broader leadership tussle within the ADC at the national level, with multiple factions laying claim to authority.
A group led by Nafiu Bala Gombe has been contesting control of the party’s national structure, further complicating internal cohesion.
The crisis has also drawn in prominent figures, including former Senate President David Mark, whose involvement has been linked to ongoing disagreements over the party’s leadership direction.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier withdrawn recognition from one of the feuding leadership blocs, underscoring the depth of the dispute.
Despite the turmoil, a faction aligned with Mark has insisted the party remains intact and is proceeding with plans for its scheduled national convention.
However, with parallel structures, legal battles, and disciplinary actions now unfolding, the future cohesion of the ADC remains uncertain as stakeholders continue to jostle for control ahead of crucial political activities.
