2027: Jigawa ADC crisis deepens as party suspends organising secretary

The crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa has deepened following the suspension of its National Zonal Organising Secretary for the North-West, Aliyu Muhammad Tukur Gantsa, for 12 months over alleged anti-party activities and indiscipline.

However, Gantsa has rejected the suspension, describing it as baseless and an attempt to tarnish his reputation, while questioning the authority of the party officials who announced the disciplinary action.

The suspension was announced in a statement dated October 19, 2026, jointly issued by the ADC chairman of Pri. Sch. Gantsa Fada Yamma Polling Unit, Ahmad Garba; Gantsa Ward Chairman, Nasiru Garba Danhalima; and Buji Local Government Chairman, Isyaku Muhammad Lelenkudu.

According to the statement, the suspension takes effect from October 19, 2026, to October 19, 2027, following its approval by the Ward Executive Committee (WEC) on October 5 and the Local Government Working Committee (LWC) on October 16.

The party accused Gantsa of engaging in public anti-party activities capable of damaging its reputation, integrity and standing.

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It also alleged that he openly declared support for an aspirant who lost the party’s primary election, an action it said undermined its officially nominated candidates and electoral interests.

The statement said the disciplinary measure was intended to enforce party discipline, preserve internal unity and ensure compliance with the ADC constitution and established procedures.

Under the suspension, Gantsa is barred from attending or participating in party meetings, caucuses, rallies and other official gatherings at polling unit, ward, local government, state and national levels.

He is also prohibited from representing the party in public, political, legal or media engagements and from exercising rights, duties, privileges or functions associated with his membership or any office he holds within the party.

The party, however, said he could appeal the decision in writing to the Ward Executive Committee or Local Government Executive Committee within 14 days of receiving the suspension notice.

It urged members to remain calm, respect the decision of the relevant party authorities and refrain from actions capable of creating tension or division.

The statement added that the party remained committed to resolving internal disputes through established procedures and handling disciplinary matters in line with its constitution.

Copies of the statement were forwarded to the ADC state chairman, the Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state.

Reacting to the development, Gantsa said he was unaware of the suspension until he was contacted by this reporter.

“I’m not aware of that. I first heard it from you. I was not invited for a fair hearing to determine whether I committed any offence or not. There is no law that gives anyone the power to discipline another person without charging him and hearing from him,” he said.

He argued that the ADC constitution did not empower polling unit, ward, local government and state executives to discipline a national officer or member of the National Working Committee.

According to him, the party’s national headquarters is the appropriate authority to initiate disciplinary proceedings against a national officer.

“For your information and for everyone to know, presently there is no leadership at the ward, local government and state levels. They have been dissolved by the national headquarters, which is working to constitute caretaker committees,” he said.

Gantsa questioned how officials whose leadership structures had allegedly been dissolved could exercise disciplinary powers against him.

He maintained that the suspension violated the party’s constitutional provisions and challenged the legitimacy of the decision.

The development has exposed a dispute within the Jigawa ADC over the allegations against Gantsa, the procedure followed in suspending him, and the authority of the party organs involved in the decision.