A fresh twist has emerged in the internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress, as former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, dismissed claims that Atiku Abubakar and other party members had been suspended.
Lawal, who serves as the North-East Vice Chairman of the party, described the announcement as unserious and not worthy of attention. He was reacting to a declaration by a factional chairman in Adamawa State, Raji Zumo, who had announced the suspension of Atiku, Lawal, and the party’s transition committee chairman, Sadiq Ibrahim, during a press briefing.
In a strongly worded response, Lawal ridiculed the claim, questioning Zumo’s credibility and authority within the party. He insisted that the factional figure lacked any legitimate standing to make such pronouncements, suggesting that the statement should not be taken seriously.
Also reacting, the Adamawa State Chairman of the ADC, Shehu Yohanna, rejected the suspension outright, describing it as baseless. He maintained that Zumo was no longer a member of the party, adding that his actions do not reflect the position of the recognised leadership.
Meanwhile, the crisis has taken a legal dimension. Justice Ahmed Isa of the High Court in Yola has ordered the suspension of planned party congresses pending the resolution of a suit challenging the process. The case was filed by Yohanna against Sadiq Dasin, the state chairman of the ADC transition committee.
The matter has been adjourned to April 15, 2026, for further hearing. However, Lawal stated that he was not aware of the court proceedings, noting that he was in Abuja at the time.
The development highlights the deepening divisions within the ADC in Adamawa State, where multiple factions have continued to struggle for control, raising concerns ahead of future political activities