The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State is experiencing intensifying leadership struggles as the party's prominence continues to rise in the region. The leadership crisis has reportedly deepened following former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's formal adoption of the party at the national level.
The party's growing profile has triggered a fierce scramble for control within the state chapter, with multiple factions claiming legitimate leadership positions. This power tussle appears to have escalated earlier this week when Atiku, one of Adamawa's most prominent political figures, officially aligned with the ADC.
Usman Jada, a close loyalist and kinsman of Atiku, popularly known as Calculate, publicly acknowledged the leadership dispute on Saturday. He declared support for one of the contenders, asserting that Shehu Yohanna is the substantive chairman of the Adamawa ADC, while dismissing rival claims by Arabi Mustapha.
"There is no way a mega coalition like our own will come into play without some hiccups but we're on top of the game," Calculate stated, emphasizing that there is no ambiguity regarding who leads the party in Adamawa State.
He further clarified, "In Adamawa ADC we have only one substantive leadership. And that is the leadership of Comrade Shehu Yohanna. It is the leadership recognised by the national secretariat of the party."
Calculate alleged that the dispute between Yohanna and Mustapha was orchestrated by fifth columnists seeking to exploit the ADC to serve their ulterior motives. The situation highlights the growing importance of the ADC in Adamawa's political landscape, particularly as the party becomes a platform for notable opposition politicians.
Political analysts suggest that Atiku's formal adoption of the ADC could significantly reshape political alignments in the state, potentially strengthening the party's position ahead of future electoral contests. However, the ongoing leadership crisis might undermine these prospects if not resolved promptly.
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