Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A brewing crisis within the Nasarawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has taken a dramatic turn as aggrieved stakeholders formally called on the party's National Chairman and National Working Committee to urgently intervene over what they described as the alleged anti-party activities of Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe, whom they accused of maintaining close ties with Governor Abdullahi Sule to the detriment of the party's interests.
The stakeholders, who spoke on Monday, June 29, 2026, expressed deep concern that Adokwe's alleged relationship with the governor could undermine the ADC's preparations for the 2027 governorship election if immediate action is not taken. They urged the national leadership to closely monitor developments in Nasarawa State to safeguard the party's unity and electoral prospects. According to the stakeholders, there is growing anxiety among party members that the process of selecting the party's governorship candidate must remain transparent, democratic, and consistent with the zoning arrangement widely believed to favour Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the interest of equity, fairness, and balanced leadership. They alleged that any attempt to manipulate the process in favour of another senatorial district could create division within the party and weaken its chances in the 2027 governorship election.
At the heart of the complaint is the accusation that Adokwe has been acting as a proxy for Governor Abdullahi Sule, allegedly influencing recent party primaries to promote a weaker candidate who would be easier to defeat in the general election, thereby improving the electoral chances of the governor's preferred candidate, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada. The stakeholders maintained that the allegations have continued to generate concern among ADC members across the state, prompting renewed calls for the National Working Committee to thoroughly investigate Adokwe's activities. According to them, no individual should conduct himself as though the party belongs to him, stressing that the ADC belongs to all its members and not to any single person or group. The stakeholders appealed to the national leadership to protect the integrity of the party's internal democratic processes, prevent any external interference, and restore members' confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections. They also called on the National Working Committee to suspend Adokwe from the party pending a full investigation into the allegations, arguing that such action is necessary to preserve party discipline, strengthen unity, and demonstrate that the ADC will not tolerate alleged anti-party activities from any member, regardless of status.
Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe, a former senator representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party in July 2025 after more than twenty years of membership and active participation. His exit was seen by analysts as a move that could reshape the political balance in Nasarawa State. He later joined the ADC, where he has since become a prominent figure. However, the party has been grappling with internal tensions in the state. In January 2026, the ADC's Transitional Leadership Team suspended the State Chairman, Godwin Alaku Williams, over allegations of anti-party activities. Among the allegations against Williams were his failure to recognise the party's National Working Committee led by Senator David Mark, refusal to integrate coalition members into the ADC structure, and reporting some party leaders to INEC, the DSS, and the Nigeria Police as impostors. Notably, Senator Adokwe was among those reportedly affected by Williams' actions. Williams, who rejected the suspension, insisted that those who suspended him lacked standing in the party.
The internal crisis has been further complicated by the conduct of the ADC's governorship primary election in May 2026. The party's electoral committee, chaired by former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung, canceled the gubernatorial primary in four local government areas—Nasarawa, Doma, Toto, and Karu—following widespread irregularities, violence, and other controversies. In Doma, no election was conducted, and only written results were submitted. In Toto, electoral officers reported being detained by unknown persons. Violence preceded the election in Karu, and the party chairman was attacked. Dalung cited the ADC's direct primary guidelines, which require evidence of physical counting of party members for results to be valid.
The stakeholders' call for Adokwe's suspension and the broader concerns over the party's governorship primary reflect a party struggling with internal cohesion. As the 2027 elections draw nearer, the ADC's ability to resolve these disputes will be critical to its prospects in Nasarawa State. The National Working Committee has yet to issue a formal response to the stakeholders' petition, but the pressure is mounting for decisive action to prevent further fragmentation.
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