Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
A deepening leadership rift has rocked the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with the state executive formally rejecting the appointments of Abdullahi Maigwandu and Aliyu Muhammad Rabah into the party’s Membership Mobilisation, Revalidation and Registration (MMRR) Committee.
Addressing journalists in Sokoto on Monday, the State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Hon. Umar Mohammad Faruk, alongside State Secretary Yusuf Alkali, described the appointments as unconstitutional and imposed without consultation.
According to Faruk, the national leadership announced the appointments without engaging the duly recognised state structure, a move he said threatens unity and stability within the party.
“These appointments were made without consulting the state executive. We were neither informed nor involved in the decision-making process,” Faruk said.
The controversy centers on the role of the MMRR Committee, a strategic organ responsible for revalidating existing members and registering new entrants a critical process as political parties reposition ahead of future elections.
Faruk alleged that Abdullahi Maigwandu, named Chairman of the committee, recently served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He claimed Maigwandu resigned from the PDP barely a day before his appointment into the ADC structure.
“It raises serious concerns when someone who defected just 24 hours earlier is handed the responsibility of supervising membership revalidation in our party,” Faruk stated.
He made a similar allegation regarding Aliyu Muhammad Rabah, appointed Secretary of the committee, insisting that due process was not followed.
“These individuals were not properly registered through a transparent process, nor were they cleared by the state executive before their appointments were announced,” he said.
The state leadership warned that what it described as an attempt to impose committee officials could spark avoidable internal crisis at a time when the party is seeking to consolidate its presence in Sokoto and beyond.
“We strongly reject these appointments. We call on the national leadership to reverse actions capable of causing confusion and instability within the party,” Faruk declared.
He further hinted at possible legal action if the situation is not addressed.
“We shall explore every lawful means to protect the integrity of our party structure and defend the rights of genuine members who have worked tirelessly to build the ADC in Sokoto State,” he added.
Political analysts say internal wrangling over control of membership structures often signals broader struggles for influence within party hierarchies, especially as parties prepare for competitive electoral cycles.
As the ADC works to strengthen its national profile, the unfolding dispute in Sokoto underscores the delicate balance between national authority and state autonomy a challenge that continues to shape Nigeria’s evolving party politics.
