By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

The Critical Youths Stakeholders Forum (CYSF) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Borno State has issued a strong warning against what it described as attempts by “political jobbers” to infiltrate and hijack the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri, Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Yusuf Sheriff Banki, said the youths—who make up the majority of the ADC’s support base—would no longer tolerate actions aimed at destabilising the party. He vowed that the Forum would alert the national leadership or pursue legal options if necessary.

Banki accused unnamed “transactional and transitional politicians” of attempting to impose themselves on the Borno chapter despite having no grassroots presence. According to him, these individuals are “Abuja-based political tourists” who migrate from party to party for personal gain.

“These political merchants, who are Abuja-based and not known in their constituencies, are political tourists,” he said. “Their loyalty is like kerosene that evaporates the moment heat is applied.”

Banki alleged that such individuals have a history of undermining party efforts, recalling how they once mocked the ADC as “a structureless experiment” and even attempted to sabotage its registration and membership drive. He described their renewed interest in the party as an attempt to “reap where they did not sow.”

“Let it be clearly stated that Borno State ADC is not for sale,” he declared. “We will not surrender the soul of ADC to transactional politicians who migrate from platform to platform like political nomads.”

He further accused the group of trying to position themselves through “backdoor arrangements, illegal meetings, and fabricated claims of endorsement,” insisting that the ADC would resist any such move politically and legally.

Banki also referenced the conduct of some of these politicians during the 2023 elections, saying their internal conflict and alleged mismanagement of campaign funds contributed to the opposition’s poor performance.

He emphasized that the Forum would continue to welcome genuine, loyal members but would not allow those seeking personal visibility to destabilize the party ahead of 2027.

“For equity, fairness and justice,” he added, “the chairman of any transition committee must come from Southern Borno Senatorial District.” He argued that Southern Borno has remained the stronghold of opposition politics since 1999 and deserved to retain its role in party leadership.

Banki concluded by warning that ADC stakeholders would not allow their “collective labour” to be hijacked, stressing that the party structure in Borno remains intact and united.