A faction of the African Democratic Congress in Adamawa State has announced the suspension of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The factional chairman in the state, Raji Zumo, announced the decision during a press conference on Monday.
Also suspended are former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and the party’s transition committee chairman, Sadiq Ibrahim.
Speaking in a video of the press conference posted by Nigerian Affairs Journal, the factional chairman accused the affected individuals of fostering disunity and disregarding a subsisting 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, 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 dispute within the ADC at the national level.
A faction of the party led by Nafiu Bala Gombe is laying claim to the position of national chairman of the ADC.
The internal crisis has also been linked to tensions over the party’s national leadership structure involving former Senate President David Mark.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission had previously withdrawn recognition from a leadership structure of the ADC amid the dispute.
Despite the crisis, the Mark-led ADC has reaffirmed that it remains strong and ready for its national convention scheduled for Tuesday (tomorrow).
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