By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The internal tensions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State intensified on Thursday, as members of the State Executive Council (SEC) and other stakeholders expressed concerns over the conduct of recent congresses in the state.

The stakeholders also reaffirmed Elder Patrick Didam Ambut as the state chairman of the party.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, Ambut stated that the congresses, in his view, did not follow due process and were conducted without the involvement of key party organs.

He described the exercise as “a coordinated attempt by certain individuals and tendencies within the coalition to take control of the party’s structure in the state.”

Ambut maintained that no group or bloc has the authority to override the party’s constitution or impose leadership on the state chapter. According to him, only the State Executive Committee and the State Working Committee are empowered to conduct congresses, and he said both bodies were not involved in the process.

He also questioned the role of a “Steering Committee” reportedly linked to the congresses, noting that, to his knowledge, such a body is not provided for in the party’s constitution.

“The State Working Committee views the congresses conducted in Kaduna State as inconsistent with established procedures, and therefore does not recognise any outcomes arising from them,” he said.

On the issue of his reported expulsion by the party’s National Secretariat, Ambut said the decision was taken in error and should be reviewed.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the purported expulsion of myself from the ADC should be reconsidered for several reasons,” he added.

The stakeholders further stated that a previous court order restraining Ambut from parading himself as chairman had been withdrawn by the parties involved, which they said supports his position.