by Gabriel Gabriel, Kaduna
African Democratic Congress (ADC) Kaduna State crises worsened on Wednesday as rival factions within the party issued conflicting ‘directives’ over the conduct of its ward, local government and state congresses.
In addition, while one group announced an outright postponement of the exercise to May, another faction dismissed the move and insisted that any such decision lacked constitutional backing and would not be recognized by the party leadership.
In a statement, dated April 6, 2026, and addressed to party members, a faction led by the State Organising Secretary, Adamu Bello, said the congresses earlier scheduled to begin on April 7 had been postponed, following a surge in defections into the party.
The statement, jointly signed by Bello and the Publicity Secretary, Idris Musa, explained that the decision became necessary to accommodate new entrants and ensure inclusivity in the process.
“The African Democratic Congress Kaduna State has postponed its upcoming state, local government and polling unit congresses scheduled for April 7, 2026,” the statement read.
“This decision follows a significant influx of notable defectors from various parties, including the PDP, APC, NNPP and Labour Party, who have joined ADC in Kaduna State.
“The party leadership believes conducting the congress at this time would be premature and may not reflect the true representation of the party’s growing strength.”
The faction added that the congresses had been rescheduled to the first week of May 2026, noting that the party’s National Headquarters had been duly informed of the development.
It also apologised to members for any inconvenience caused, urging them to remain committed, as efforts were being made to strengthen the party’s internal processes.
However, in a swift reaction, another faction of the party rejected the postponement, describing it as “unauthorized” and “misleading.”
In a disclaimer issued by the Kaduna State Organizing Secretary, Ibrahim Musa, the group said claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission had halted the congresses were false and should be disregarded.
“The attention of the ADC and all relevant stakeholders has been drawn to a purported publication claiming that INEC has stopped the party from conducting its leadership elections scheduled to commence on April 7, 2026,” the statement read.
“We wish to categorically state that the said publication is false, misleading and without any official authorisation.”
The faction further alleged that those behind the publication were not recognised spokespersons of the party and did not represent its official position.
According to the statement, “The individuals behind this publication are not recognised spokespersons for the party in this context, and their claims do not reflect the position of the party or any verified directive from INEC.
“This appears to be a deliberate attempt to misinform party members and the general public, as well as to create unnecessary confusion and disruption.”
The group advised party members to rely only on information from authorised channels, warning that it reserved the right to take action against those allegedly involved in spreading false information.
The statement specifically named Adamu Bello and Idris Musa as persons linked to the disputed publication.
Providing further insight into the controversy, the factional Chairman of the party in the state, Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, insisted that the authority to conduct congresses rested solely with the state executive committee.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, Mustapha said the actions of the Bello-led group amounted to a breach of the party’s constitution.
“You have even answered yourself. They are stakeholders of the party, quite okay. But the conduct of congresses in each state is clearly stipulated in our constitution,” he said.
“It is the mandate of the state executive committee – led by the chairman and members of the working committee – to decide when and how congresses will be held.”
Mustapha acknowledged the influx of new members into the party but stressed that such development did not confer authority on any group to organise congresses independently.
“We have opened our doors for new members to come in, but at the end of the day, they need clearance from us. There may be commissioners, ministers or members of the House of Representatives among them, but they are not the owners of the party,” he stated.
He dismissed suggestions that the development indicated a formal split within the Kaduna chapter, but admitted that divergent interests were fuelling the ongoing tension.
“There is no officially recognised faction. What you are seeing are people acting on their own interest, not in line with the party’s constitution,” he stated.
On the legitimacy of any congress conducted outside the approval of the state leadership, Mustapha was emphatic: “Whatever they are doing is only recognised by them, not by the party,” he said.
Findings by our correspondent indicate that the dispute may not be unconnected with the recent wave of ‘political realignments’ in the state, as politicians from different parties continue to gravitate towards the ADC ahead of future elections.
Observers say the influx has heightened internal competition for control of party structures, thereby triggering disagreements over the timing and conduct of congresses.
As of the time of filing this report, it remained unclear whether the national leadership of the party would intervene to reconcile the feuding groups and provide clarity on the status of the congresses.
However, the development underscores the growing pains within the Kaduna ADC chapter as it struggles to manage expansion, while at the same time maintaining internal cohesion, as anticipated.