Zamfara ADC faces internal crisis as two rival factions emerge

The Zamfara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has been thrown into a leadership crisis following the emergence of two rival factions, each claiming control of the party’s structure in the state.

The factions are led by Kabiru Garba Gusau and Shehu Muhammad Maisshanu Guluba, both of whom insist they are the legitimate leaders of the party in Zamfara State.

Despite the dispute over the party’s leadership, the two camps have maintained a common position that Barrister Mahadi Aliyu Gusau remains the party’s governorship candidate after emerging victorious in the ADC primary election.

Addressing journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Guluba dismissed reports suggesting that the party had replaced its governorship candidate, describing the claims as false and misleading.

He reaffirmed that Mahadi Aliyu Gusau remains the ADC’s candidate for the governorship election and urged party members and supporters to disregard information suggesting otherwise.

Guluba also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to create confusion within the party through the circulation of what he described as misinformation.

However, the faction led by Kabiru Garba Gusau insisted that he remains the duly recognised state chairman of the ADC in Zamfara.

According to him, any attempt to recognise another person as chairman is contrary to the party’s constitution, maintaining that he was validly elected into office.

Gusau further claimed that his leadership enjoys the recognition of the party’s national secretariat, noting that the congress which produced him was conducted under the supervision of officials from the national headquarters.

The development highlights growing internal tensions within the Zamfara ADC as rival groups continue to battle for control of the party structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While both factions remain at odds over leadership, they have continued to express support for the party’s governorship candidate, Mahadi Aliyu Gusau.