Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State have petitioned the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, over what they described as divisive activities of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The group led by Adamu Ahmed Dattijo, at a press conference in Kaduna on Saturday, said El-Rufai’s conduct and that of his associates threatened the unity and stability of the ADC in the state.
The ADC was formally adopted in July as the coalition party for opposition politicians, with David Mark named national chairman and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola appointed secretary. El-Rufai is among the high-profile figures who aligned with the party under the new arrangement.
The briefing was attended by stakeholders and coalition members drawn from the 23 local government areas.
A letter dated August 14, 2025, signed by more than 160 members has been addressed to Mark. The petition warned of attempts by El-Rufai and his allies, Ja’afaru Sani and Bashir Sa’idu, to “hijack” party structures and sideline the recognised state executive.
“We are deeply concerned about the survival of our party in Kaduna State,” the letter read. “Instead of promoting inclusiveness, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has chosen the path of arrogance and imposition. He holds meetings only with his loyalists while ignoring duly elected ADC leaders across the 23 local government areas.”
The group also accused the former governor of plotting to inaugurate what they described as an “illegitimate coalition transition” in Kaduna, insisting that such a move was fraudulent and lacked the support of authentic party stakeholders.
They argued that El-Rufai’s style of leadership was already causing division within the coalition and could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“If this continues, we risk entering the 2027 polls as a divided and weakened party, which will only result in electoral failure,” Dattijo warned.
The Kaduna ADC leaders urged the national leadership to intervene immediately, stressing that “no individual, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the party.”
El-Rufai had recently told supporters in Kaduna that he would not contest for any political office in 2027, stating that his renewed political involvement was only to support credible leadership at the state and national levels.
