ADC Disowns Illegal State Congress in Katsina, Labels It Unconstitutional

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Katsina State has officially disowned a parallel state congress conducted by some party members, calling it illegal and unconstitutional.

Chairman of the ADC’s Katsina State Congress Committee, Atiku Abubakar-Saleh, made the clarification during a press briefing in Katsina on Tuesday. He stated that the committee was duly constituted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to oversee a transparent and credible congress process in the state.

Abubakar-Saleh said the committee’s activities were in strict compliance with a recent court judgment that cleared the way for the conduct of the exercise. He confirmed that ward and local government congresses are scheduled for Wednesday, with the state congress set for Thursday.

He added that the NWC had approved the formation of key oversight committees, including a screening committee led by Dr Sulaiman Maiyawo, to ensure due process and adherence to the party’s constitution. Only these officially recognised committees, he stressed, have the legal mandate to conduct the congress.

The chairman warned that any congress conducted outside the authority of the approved committees is null and void. He described such actions as attempts to undermine the party’s unity and democratic process, urging members and stakeholders to disregard unauthorised activities and support the official process.

Abubakar-Saleh also called on security agencies to remain vigilant and prevent any actions that could disrupt public order during the congress period. He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to conducting a peaceful, transparent, and credible exercise in line with the party’s guidelines.

The disavowal follows the earlier conduct of a parallel congress by a faction of the party, which the official committee has now declared illegitimate. The development highlights ongoing tensions within the ADC in Katsina as the party prepares for a crucial phase in its internal democratic processes.