The Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the appointment of Abdullahi Maigwandu and Aliyu Rabah as Chairman and Secretary of the party’s Membership, Mobilisation, Revitalisation and Registration (MMRR) Committee in the state.
The party warned that it may seek legal redress if the decision is not reversed.
Addressing journalists at the party’s state secretariat on Monday, the ADC State Chairman, Umar Faruk, described the appointments as imposed and carried out without consultation with the recognised state executive.
Faruk said the development undermines internal democracy and threatens unity within the party.
“This decision is unacceptable to us. It violates the ADC constitution and undermines internal democracy. You cannot build a party by sidelining those who laboured to establish its structure in Sokoto,” he stated.
The MMRR committee is considered a vital organ of the party, responsible for grassroots mobilisation, membership registration and revitalisation of party structures ahead of future elections.
Tensions within the party reportedly intensified following recent defections and leadership disputes in the state. Faruk noted that Maigwandu, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, was appointed chairman of the committee shortly after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, while Rabah also recently joined the ADC from the same party.
“These individuals are not properly registered members of the ADC in Sokoto State. There was no engagement with the state leadership, no stakeholders’ meeting and no transparent process,” he added.
The Sokoto ADC leadership cautioned the party’s national leadership against actions capable of deepening the crisis in the state chapter, vowing to resist any attempt to hijack the party structure.
“We will not fold our arms and watch our party be taken over through the back door. All legal options are on the table to protect the integrity of the ADC in Sokoto,” Faruk declared.
He also advised members of the public to avoid collecting membership cards not issued by the recognised state leadership, warning that such cards could later be invalidated.
The State Secretary, Yusuf Alkali, disclosed that steps had been taken to approach the court over the continued leadership claim by former chairman, Bello Ishyaku Keegan.
“We want clarity and order in the party. The courts will determine the rightful leadership so that the ADC can move forward in Sokoto,” Alkali said.
While reaffirming that the party remains open to new members, the state leadership stressed that adherence to due process, consultation and proper registration must guide all appointments and engagements.
“Our doors are open to everyone, but there must be rules. If we abandon due process today, we destroy the party tomorrow,” Faruk warned.
