A leadership crisis has emerged in the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a faction of the party has rejected the return of Bello Isiyaku as state chairman. According to a press conference held by the faction on Sunday, the party’s state secretary, Yusuf Abdulkadir Alkali, reaffirmed Hon. Umar Muhammad Faruk as the recognized chairman of the party in the state.
Alkali explained that Isiyaku had been suspended prior to the 2023 general elections due to internal disputes related to his governorship ambitions on the ADC platform. As a result, Isiyaku cannot claim the chairmanship position. The faction leader noted that Faruk’s leadership was ratified by the party’s national body, led by Ralph Nwosu, during its national convention in Zaria in September 2022.
At a recent meeting attended by 25 members of the state executive committee, 18 voted in favor of reaffirming Faruk as chairman. Alkali stated that the attempt to reintroduce Isiyaku into the party’s leadership structure is unconstitutional and unacceptable. He accused some party elders of fueling division but emphasized that the majority of members remain loyal to Faruk and the national leadership.
The state executive committee has unanimously resolved to reject Isiyaku’s claim and has restated its loyalty to Faruk. This development highlights the ongoing internal conflicts within the party. The ADC has been experiencing leadership challenges, and this latest crisis may have significant implications for the party’s future in Sokoto State.
The party’s national body has previously taken steps to address internal disputes, and it remains to be seen how they will respond to this latest development. The Sokoto State chapter of the ADC will likely face further challenges as it navigates this leadership crisis. With the party’s national leadership already having ratified Faruk’s position, it is unclear what steps will be taken to resolve the dispute and move forward. The situation will likely be closely monitored by party members and observers alike.
