The leadership crisis in the Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deepened on Wednesday after a faction of the party disowned a group operating under the banner of an “interim leadership,” declaring it unconstitutional and unknown to the party’s structure.
The party’s position was contained in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Engr. Idris Musa, in response to an earlier statement by a group led by Dr. Bege Katuka and Mustapha Ahmed, which had announced appointments and reconciliation measures following the party’s recently concluded primaries.
The faction maintained that the ADC Constitution does not provide for an interim leadership or caretaker committee at the state level, insisting that only officials elected and recognised in accordance with the party’s constitution and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can act on behalf of the party.
According to the statement, the election that produced Katuka and Ahmed was nullified by a Federal High Court judgment delivered on April 29, 2026.
“The election that produced Dr. Bege Katuka and Mustapha Ahmed was nullified by the Federal High Court on April 29, 2026. A court judgment remains binding until set aside by a superior court. Consequently, they lack the legal right or authority to convene meetings, issue statements or act on behalf of the ADC in Kaduna State,” the statement said.
The party further disclosed that an appeal arising from the judgment came up for hearing on June 9 and remains before the court.
It argued that issuing statements on behalf of the party while the matter is still pending in court was capable of misleading party members and the general public.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is an existing lawful ADC leadership structure in Kaduna State duly constituted in line with the party constitution. All party activities, correspondence and official statements will continue to emanate from that leadership,” the statement added.
The party therefore urged members, stakeholders, INEC, security agencies and the general public to disregard any directive or statement issued by individuals claiming to represent an interim leadership of the party.
The latest development comes barely a day after the Katuka-led group announced a series of reconciliation measures and appointments, including the naming of Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello as Kaduna State Coordinator of the presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar and Hon. Jaafaru Ibrahim Sani as Director-General of the Kaduna State Governorship Campaign Organisation.
The exchange highlights the lingering leadership dispute within the party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
