A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has strongly rejected claims that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other key figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were suspended, describing the development as baseless and lacking any legal or organisational legitimacy.
Lawal, who currently serves as the North-East Vice Chairman of the party, reacted to an announcement made by a factional leader in Adamawa State, Raji Zumo. Zumo had earlier addressed a press conference where he declared the suspension of Atiku, Lawal, and the chairman of the party’s transition committee, Sadiq Ibrahim.
The announcement, which quickly gained traction on social media and political circles, has since been dismissed by leading figures within the party, who insist that the faction responsible lacks the authority to take such actions.
In a sharp and dismissive response, Lawal ridiculed the suspension claim, suggesting it should not be taken seriously. He used strong language to question the credibility of those behind the announcement, implying that their actions were irrational and disconnected from reality.
According to him, individuals could make exaggerated or unfounded claims under questionable influences, stressing that such pronouncements should not be interpreted as official party decisions. His remarks underscored a broader concern about the proliferation of unauthorised voices claiming legitimacy within the party’s fractured structure.
Lawal further challenged Zumo’s standing within the ADC, insisting that he does not occupy any recognised position that would empower him to make decisions on behalf of the party, particularly one as significant as suspending high-profile members.
He questioned the basis upon which Zumo could claim such authority, arguing that the move reflects the extent of disorganisation within certain factions of the party in Adamawa State. For Lawal, the issue goes beyond the suspension claim itself, pointing instead to a deeper crisis of legitimacy and internal cohesion.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Adamawa State Chairman of the ADC, Shehu Yohanna, also dismissed the purported suspension as null and void. Yohanna maintained that Zumo was no longer a member of the party and therefore lacked the standing to make any pronouncements on its affairs.
He explained that Zumo had previously served as his deputy before disappearing from the party’s active structure. According to Yohanna, his sudden reappearance on social media with such a significant declaration raised further questions about the credibility and intent behind the announcement.
The state chairman described the situation as both surprising and concerning, particularly given the stature of the individuals targeted by the alleged suspension. He emphasised that Atiku remains a respected figure within the party and across Nigeria’s political landscape, making the claim even more implausible.
Meanwhile, the internal crisis within the ADC in Adamawa State has taken a legal dimension, further complicating the already tense situation. A High Court in Yola, presided over by Justice Ahmed Isa, has intervened in the ongoing dispute by halting planned party congresses.
The court issued an order suspending the congresses, which were scheduled to take place on Thursday, pending the determination of a suit filed before it. The legal action was initiated by Yohanna, who is challenging what he described as his exclusion from the planning and organisation of the congresses.
In his suit, Yohanna named Sadiq Dasin, the state chairman of the ADC transition committee, as the defendant. The case centres on allegations of procedural irregularities and the marginalisation of certain party stakeholders in key decision-making processes.
Justice Isa adjourned the matter to April 15, 2026, for further hearing, leaving the future of the planned congresses uncertain. The court’s intervention has effectively paused any immediate moves toward restructuring the party’s leadership at the state level.
Despite the significance of the legal proceedings, Lawal distanced himself from the case, stating that he was unaware of the details. He explained that he was in Abuja at the time and had no direct involvement in the court action, advising inquiries to be directed at those who were present during the proceedings.
The unfolding events highlight the deepening factional divisions within the ADC in Adamawa State, where the party has been grappling with leadership disputes for over a year. The crisis has resulted in the emergence of multiple factions, each laying claim to legitimacy and authority.
Political observers note that the fragmentation poses a serious challenge to the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects, particularly as Nigeria moves closer to future political contests. The inability of the party to resolve its internal differences could weaken its position in the broader opposition landscape.
The controversy surrounding the alleged suspension of Atiku and other party leaders is seen as a reflection of these underlying tensions. It underscores the urgent need for reconciliation and institutional clarity within the party’s structure.
As the situation continues to evolve, attention remains focused on both the legal proceedings in Yola and the broader efforts, if any, to unify the party’s factions. For now, however, the ADC in Adamawa State appears to remain deeply divided, with competing narratives and leadership claims further complicating its internal dynamics.
