Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has issued a strong public warning against individuals it says are impersonating leaders of the party in the state, distancing itself from reports of a purported inauguration of state executives that it described as illegal, misleading and unauthorized. The development has triggered renewed internal tensions within the opposition party and raised questions about party discipline, legitimacy and adherence to constitutional processes ahead of heightened political activities in the state.
In a statement released on Saturday in Kaduna, the party said it had become necessary to clarify its position following reports circulating in parts of the media and on social platforms claiming that new ADC state executives had been inaugurated. According to the party, no such exercise was approved or sanctioned by its recognized leadership structures, and members of the public were urged to treat the claims with caution.
The statement, signed by the Kaduna State Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Alex Tagwai, stressed that the alleged inauguration did not emanate from the party and should not be mistaken as an official activity of the ADC in the state. Tagwai said the reports were capable of misleading party members and supporters, particularly at a time when political parties are intensifying internal organization in preparation for future electoral contests.
Central to the controversy is the role of a former vice chairman of the party in Kaduna State, Tijani Ahmed, who was reportedly presented by the group behind the purported inauguration as the acting chairman of the ADC in the state. The party leadership firmly rejected this claim, stating that Ahmed no longer holds any leadership position within the ADC and lacks the authority to convene or preside over any party activity.
According to the statement, Tijani Ahmed had been expelled from the ADC prior to the alleged inauguration over allegations of extortion and persistent anti-party activities. The party said his expulsion followed internal disciplinary processes, adding that his continued attempt to present himself as a party leader amounted to impersonation and deliberate efforts to sow confusion within the party’s ranks.
The ADC further dismissed claims circulating alongside the alleged inauguration that a court of law had empowered Ahmed to act as chairman of the party in Kaduna State. Tagwai described such assertions as false and mischievous, insisting that no judicial pronouncement exists granting Ahmed or any other individual the authority to assume the office of state chairman outside the party’s constitutional framework.
“To set the record straight, the misleading and mischievous speculation that a court granted Tijani Ahmed the authority to act as chairman of the party in Kaduna State is completely untrue,” Tagwai said. He emphasized that the ADC, like other registered political parties in Nigeria, operates under a constitution that clearly outlines leadership succession, disciplinary procedures and the process for the inauguration of executives at all levels.
The party also questioned the legitimacy of Ahmed’s claim to leadership by pointing to the absence of recognition from both the Independent National Electoral Commission and the ADC national secretariat. According to Tagwai, only party officials duly recognized by INEC and the national leadership can legitimately act on behalf of the ADC in any state.
He challenged Ahmed to publicly present any valid court order or legal document authorizing him to function as state chairman if such authority truly exists. The failure to do so, Tagwai argued, would further confirm that the claims surrounding the alleged inauguration were baseless and intended to mislead unsuspecting members of the public.
The incident has highlighted recurring challenges faced by political parties in Nigeria, where internal disputes and rival factions often lay competing claims to leadership, sometimes escalating into prolonged legal battles. In Kaduna State, a politically strategic and diverse region, such disputes are closely watched because of their potential impact on party cohesion and electoral fortunes.
Political observers note that the ADC, though smaller compared to Nigeria’s dominant parties, has in recent years sought to position itself as an alternative platform for reform-minded politicians and voters dissatisfied with mainstream political options. Internal stability and clarity of leadership are therefore seen as critical to sustaining its credibility and growth.
Within the party, there are concerns that unauthorized actions such as the alleged inauguration could undermine internal trust and weaken grassroots mobilization. Party insiders say the leadership is keen to prevent parallel structures from emerging, which could confuse members and complicate engagement with electoral authorities.
The Kaduna ADC leadership reiterated its commitment to due process and internal democracy, stressing that any changes in party leadership would be communicated transparently through recognized channels. It urged members to rely only on information issued by duly authorized party officials and to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate party organs.
Beyond the immediate dispute, the situation reflects broader tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape, where the approach to the 2027 general elections is already fueling internal realignments, leadership struggles and factional maneuvering across parties. Analysts warn that if not properly managed, such disputes can distract parties from policy engagement and voter outreach, shifting focus instead to internal power struggles.
For now, the ADC in Kaduna State appears determined to draw a clear line between its recognized leadership and individuals it describes as impostors. The party’s public disavowal of the alleged inauguration and its firm stance on Ahmed’s expulsion signal an effort to reassert authority and prevent further erosion of discipline.
As the controversy unfolds, attention will likely turn to whether the individuals involved heed the party’s warnings or seek redress through legal or political channels. The response of INEC and the ADC national secretariat, if required to intervene, could also play a role in determining how swiftly the matter is resolved.
What remains clear is that the ADC leadership in Kaduna is intent on preserving what it sees as the integrity of the party’s structures and processes. In an increasingly competitive political environment, the ability of parties to manage internal disputes transparently and lawfully may prove as important as their ability to win over voters.
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