‎Adamawa ADC crisis: Umar decries Dasin’s moves to scuttle Atiku’s Presidential ticket

‎Emmanuel Kwada

‎A leading voice in the Adamawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Umar Bello Jada also known as Calculate has raised the alarm over what he described as a dangerous attempt by the chairman of the party’s Transition Committee, Sadiq Dasin, to undermine internal democracy and impose candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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‎In a strongly worded statement, Jada accused Dasin of behaving “like a drunken sailor,” alleging that the transition chairman was bent on short-circuiting democratic processes within the ADC from the councillorship level up to the governorship ticket. According to him, the alleged moves are already breeding discontent and pose a serious threat to the party’s integrity and future.

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‎Right from inception, Adamawa State chapter of ADC has been embroiled in serious leadership crisis resulting to the balkanization of the party along several splinter groups.
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‎Analysts believe, the development will not only erode the confidence of the masses who see the party as the most potent and credible alternative to the two dominant political parties in the country but will also eclipse it chances of making any viable inroad come 2027 general elections.
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‎Jada said the development was particularly disturbing given that Adamawa is the home state of the party’s national leader and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
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‎He warned that any attempt to erode participatory democracy in the state chapter would not only stain Atiku’s democratic credentials but could also damage his prospects in the forthcoming presidential election.
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‎“It is worrisome that at a time when the ADC is marketing itself as a credible alternative built on transparency and fairness, some individuals within the Adamawa structure are working tirelessly to impose candidates through undemocratic means.
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‎”Such crass manipulation will not augur well for the party, and certainly not for the political future of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar,” he said.
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‎To underscore his concerns, Jada delivered a detailed comparison between democrats and autocrats, arguing that the crisis within the ADC in Adamawa stems from a clash between these two mindsets. According to him, the core difference lies in how power is understood and exercised.
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‎He explained that democrats see power as belonging to the people, distributed through accountable systems, and upheld through the rule of law, separation of powers, and respect for free choice.
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‎”Conversely, autocrats centralize authority, suppress dissent, manipulate institutions, and prefer selection and imposition over transparent elections,” he said.
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‎Jada noted that true democrats embrace open debate, constructive criticism, and inclusive participation of youth, women, minorities, and vulnerable groups while autocrats surround themselves with loyalists, silence opposition, and operate a narrow and disconnected style of governance.
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‎He expressed worry that while figures like Adamu Maina Waziri in Yobe State have chosen the path of democratic leadership by building structures aligned with ADC ideals, Sadiq Dasin and his “co-travellers” in Adamawa are attempting to steer the party toward autocratic control.
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‎“Adamawa is expected to present Atiku as one of the best to vie for the presidency under a party that prides itself on free, fair and transparent primaries.
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‎ “Yet the very person leading the transitional leadership in the state is preaching a system where no primaries will be conducted for positions ranging from the State House of Assembly to the governorship. This is unacceptable,” he said.
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‎Jada warned that any attempt to eliminate primaries in the 2027 election cycle would not only alienate party members but could trigger widespread resistance, weaken grassroots mobilisation, and erode the moral standing of the party nationally.
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‎He urged the national leadership of the ADC to intervene swiftly to safeguard internal democracy, restore confidence among members, and ensure that the party remains committed to its founding principles.
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