The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared its position on the leadership dispute within the Adamawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), confirming Shehu Yohanna as the legitimate chairman of the party in the state.
The electoral body made this clarification in response to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request submitted by the legal firm A.A. Jatau & Co, which sought to determine the rightful leadership of the party in Adamawa State.
In its official response, INEC's Legal Services Department provided details on Yohanna's appointment, stating: "On 17th January 2024, the commission's headquarters received a letter signed by the national chairman and secretary of the party which forwarded the names of five interim/acting chairmen for some states, Adamawa State included. The letter indicated that Yohanna Shehu is the chairman of the party for the state."
The Adamawa ADC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis with both Shehu Yohanna and Mohammed Mustapha claiming the chairmanship position. This internal conflict has intensified over the past two weeks as several high-profile politicians from Adamawa State have joined the party.
Notable figures who have recently defected to the ADC include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Aishatu Ahmed Binani, who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 elections; and Senator Jibrilla Bindow, who served as Adamawa State governor under the APC from 2015 to 2019.
INEC's clarification comes at a critical time as the ADC appears to be gaining momentum in Adamawa State with these high-profile defections, potentially positioning the party as a significant political force in the state's political landscape.
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