The leadership tussle in the Adamawa chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) escalated on Tuesday after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar endorsed Shehu Yohanna as the Acting/Interim Chairman of the party in the state, a move immediately rejected by the party’s North-East Vice Chairman, Babachir Lawal.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku urged all ADC stakeholders in the state to recognise Yohanna’s leadership.
He also threw his weight behind the Sadiq Dasin-led Transition Team, calling for synergy between the committee and the Yohanna-led exco to reposition the party.
Atiku expressed satisfaction with what he described as the resolution of lingering disputes in the party.
“I am particularly elated that we in the Adamawa ADC family are ending the year on a very positive note with the resolution of all extant issues. No house divided against itself can stand,” he said.
He added that the David Mark–led national executive would enforce strict discipline and zero tolerance for insubordination.
But Babachir Lawal faulted Atiku’s position, insisting that a court ruling had already invalidated Yohanna’s chairmanship.
“The court has ruled that Yohanna is not the chairman of ADC Adamawa State. I am not an appeal court, so I have no say beyond that,” he told DAILY GAZETTE
“I stand by the court’s decision. Paul Ibe can appoint one for himself if he likes, but I adhere to the legal ruling,” the former SGF added.
