A leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Borno State has intensified as a faction led by Dr. Muhammad Khala officially declared Attom Muhammad Magira as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election, citing a recent Court of Appeal judgment in suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/608/2026 concerning the party’s state executive leadership. The decision has sparked a split within the party, with competing claims over who rightfully represents the ADC in the upcoming gubernatorial race.
The Khala faction argues that the Court of Appeal ruling validates their position and confirms Magira’s eligibility to contest the 2027 election under the ADC banner. They maintain that the judgment addresses the legitimacy of the party’s internal leadership structure and supports their stance on selecting Magira as the candidate. However, this move has been met with strong opposition from Bukar Kolo, the acting chairman of the ADC in Borno State.
Kolo dismissed the Khala faction’s declaration, insisting that the official governorship primary conducted by the party’s national leadership had already produced Babagana Buhari as the legitimate candidate. He emphasized that Magira himself participated in that primary, making his subsequent emergence as an alternative candidate contradictory and legally untenable. According to Kolo, the Court of Appeal judgment does not appoint or endorse Magira as the party’s candidate, and the matter remains unresolved pending further legal review at the Supreme Court.
Magira, in response, welcomed the Khala faction’s endorsement and expressed respect for the judicial process. He stated he would abide by the outcome of any ongoing legal proceedings and urged transparency in party affairs. He also challenged Kolo to produce valid documentation proving his status as acting chairman, questioning the legality and authority behind Kolo’s current role within the party.
The dispute has created deep divisions within the Borno ADC, with both factions now operating independently and promoting different candidates. This internal conflict could weaken the party’s electoral prospects and distract from campaign preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections. As the case moves to the Supreme Court, political observers are watching closely to see how the judiciary will resolve the leadership impasse and whether it will lead to a unified front or prolonged fragmentation within the party.
The situation underscores the challenges facing Nigerian political parties as they navigate internal disputes amid growing expectations for credible governance and electoral integrity. The outcome of this legal battle may set a precedent for how party leadership and candidate selection are handled in future elections across Nigeria.
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