A new faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formed in Jigawa State following parallel congresses held at ward, local government, and state levels. The faction claims legitimacy from a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik in Abuja, which nullified a previous national party convention. According to Kabiru Husseini Na Rungo, the factional chairman, the court ruling invalidated the actions of those who conducted the earlier convention, citing lack of constitutional authority. The judgment also affirmed the right of recognised state chairmen to conduct congresses within their jurisdictions.
Na Rungo stated the group's congress was held in line with the court's directive, describing it as transparent, credible and lawful. He insisted the faction is independent of both the David Mark and Nafiu Bala factions within the national party. The group confirmed the expulsion of several high-profile members, including Sabo Mohammed Nakudu, Ahmad Mahmud Gumel, Bashir Adamu, Abba Anas, Hon. Adamu Jumbo, Sen. Sabo Nakudu and Abba Anas Adamu. Mohammed Sani Gumel was also reaffirmed as expelled for alleged acts contrary to party principles, including the sale of party mandates.
"We gathered here in unity, peace and determination to strengthen the foundation of our party," Na Rungo said. "ADC is not for sale in Jigawa State, and we shall never allow the selfish interests of individuals to override the collective interest of our members." He warned that any member refusing to align with the new structure would be considered expelled under party guidelines. At the conclusion of the congress, Kabiru Hassan was elected state chairman, Ahmad Sankara Gerawa as deputy chairman, and Hon. Abba Champ as state vice chairman. Ahmed Jamilu emerged as Financial Secretary, Sagir Rabiu Babura as Legal Adviser, and Zubaida Ahmed Gumel as Women Leader. Kabiru Husseini, in an acceptance speech, pledged leadership guided by fairness, justice and the ADC constitution.
Na Rungo claims judicial backing for a new ADC leadership in Jigawa while expelling members who were part of the same structure he now leads. The court judgment he cites was meant to correct national irregularities, not authorise a state-level purge of rivals. If the Jigawa congress is truly lawful, it should unite the party, not replicate the same fragmentation it claims to fix. The expulsions risk reducing the ADC to competing factions hiding behind court rulings.
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