A fresh leadership dispute has erupted within the Zamfara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as two rival factions now claim legitimacy following a contested state congress. The conflict pits Malam Mohammed Mainasara’s group, which claims to have been officially authorised by the party’s national leadership, against Kabiru Garba Gusau’s faction, which insists it remains the rightful leadership. The disagreement has deepened tensions within the party, raising concerns over internal governance and unity ahead of upcoming elections.
Mainasara, who says he led the committee appointed by the national leadership to supervise the congress, stated that the exercise was conducted in accordance with party protocols. He named Ambassador Zubairu Yalwa as secretary of the committee and confirmed that the process involved consultation with key party stakeholders. The outcome, he said, was the emergence of a new State Executive Committee (EXCO) through consensus, with Malam Shehu Gulubba elected as State Chairman and Dr Ahmad Hashim as Secretary. Other positions were also filled, including Jafafar Aliyu as Youth Leader and Maryam Abdullahi as Women Leader.
However, Gusau, who previously held the position of State Chairman, has rejected the results, calling the entire process illegitimate. He argued that the congress lacked broad consultation and was orchestrated by individuals aiming to fracture the party for personal or political gain. Gusau emphasized that a legitimate leadership transition must involve all stakeholders and be conducted transparently. He further stated that his faction has formally reported the matter to security agencies, including the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate the alleged irregularities.
In a strong warning, Gusau announced that he would take disciplinary action against those who participated in the disputed congress, asserting that as the duly recognised chairman, he retains the authority to suspend or dismiss members. His stance underscores the deepening divide within the ADC in Zamfara, with both factions now vying for control and legitimacy. The situation has drawn attention from party observers and political analysts, who fear the internal conflict could weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
As the dispute continues, the national leadership of the ADC has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. The outcome of this leadership battle could significantly influence the party’s structure and performance in Zamfara State. The next steps will likely depend on whether the national body intervenes to resolve the conflict or allows the factions to resolve it internally. This leadership crisis highlights the challenges facing political parties in Nigeria as they navigate internal dynamics amid increasing electoral competition.
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