A leadership tussle has erupted within the Zamfara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following a controversial congress that has left the party divided into two rival camps.
At the center of the dispute is a faction led by Malam Mohammed Mainasara, which claims legitimacy based on backing from the party’s national leadership. Mainasara stated that he was appointed to head a committee tasked with organising and supervising the congress in the state. The committee, he explained, included Ambassador Zubairu Yalwa as secretary, along with other designated members.
According to him, the exercise was conducted successfully and concluded with the emergence of a new State Executive Committee (EXCO). He added that the leadership selection was achieved through consensus, with the involvement and support of key party stakeholders.
From that process, Malam Shehu Gulubba was announced as the new State Chairman, while Dr Ahmad Hashim assumed the role of Secretary. Other positions were also filled, including Jafafar Aliyu as Youth Leader and Maryam Abdullahi as Women Leader, among others.
Despite these claims, the outcome has been strongly contested by another faction within the party, led by Kabiru Garba Gusau. Gusau has rejected the congress entirely, insisting that he remains the duly recognised state chairman.
He described the process that produced the new leadership as invalid, alleging that it was orchestrated by individuals seeking to destabilize the party for political gain. In his view, any credible congress should involve wide-ranging consultation and agreement among party stakeholders—conditions he claims were not met.
Gusau further revealed that his faction has escalated the matter by reporting it to security agencies, including the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS). He made it clear that his group would not accept the outcome of what it considers a flawed process.
In addition, he announced plans to take disciplinary action against those who participated in the disputed congress. He maintained that, as the sitting chairman, he retains the authority to suspend or expel members found to have acted against party interests.
