Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Carmen Diego
A fresh layer of controversy has emerged within Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress after former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, openly ridiculed the purported suspension of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the move as irrational and lacking legitimacy.
Lawal’s reaction followed an earlier announcement by a faction of the African Democratic Congress in Adamawa State claiming that Atiku and several others had been suspended over alleged anti-party activities. The announcement, made by a factional chairman, quickly sparked confusion within the party, with rival officials disputing both the authority of those behind it and the validity of the decision itself.
Responding to the development, Lawal dismissed the suspension in blunt terms, stating that the action did not reflect any credible or recognised structure within the party. He argued that those responsible for the announcement lacked constitutional authority and suggested that their claims should not be taken seriously by party members or the public.
His controversial remark characterising the suspension as a product of “Indian hemp smoking” underscored the intensity of internal disagreements and the increasingly confrontational tone among party stakeholders. While the comment drew attention, its underlying message was clear: Lawal and his allies consider the suspension not only invalid but also symptomatic of deeper disorder within the ADC.
The dispute highlights the growing fragmentation inside the party at a critical time. The ADC has recently attracted a coalition of high-profile political figures seeking to build a united opposition platform ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. However, instead of consolidating, the party has become the site of competing claims to leadership, authority, and organisational control.
The Adamawa incident, in particular, has exposed the fragile nature of party structures at the state level. Multiple individuals and groups have laid claim to leadership positions, creating parallel lines of authority and raising questions about who can legitimately take disciplinary actions such as suspensions.
Stone Reporters note that Lawal’s reaction is part of a broader pattern in which senior political actors are increasingly bypassing formal dispute mechanisms and engaging directly in public rebuttals. This approach, while effective in shaping public perception, risks further eroding institutional coherence within the party.
For Atiku, the episode adds to a series of political developments surrounding his role within the ADC coalition. As one of the most prominent figures associated with the party’s emerging opposition alliance, any perceived disciplinary action against him carries significant symbolic weight, even when contested.
So far, there has been no indication that the purported suspension has been recognised by the party’s national leadership or by other influential blocs within the ADC. Instead, reactions from key figures suggest that the announcement may represent a factional move rather than an enforceable decision.
The situation also reflects broader challenges within Nigeria’s political system, where party discipline and internal democracy often collide with factional interests and shifting alliances. In such an environment, disputes over authority can quickly escalate into public confrontations, as seen in the current ADC crisis.
Lawal’s dismissal of the suspension, while controversial in phrasing, reinforces a central point of contention: the question of legitimacy. Until that issue is resolved through either legal clarification or internal consensus, similar disputes are likely to continue.
As the ADC navigates its internal challenges, the ability of its leadership to establish clear, unified structures will be critical. Without that, incidents like the Adamawa suspension and the sharp reactions they provoke may continue to undermine the party’s efforts to present itself as a stable and credible alternative on Nigeria’s political stage.
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