Atiku, Not APC, Bears Responsibility for ADC’s Self-Inflicted Crisis – Chieftain ‘Calculate’

By Tgnews Reporter

A prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Alhaji Umar Bello Jada, popularly known as “Calculate,” has squarely blamed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the ongoing destruction of the party, rather than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a frank interview with newsmen in Yola, Calculate accused Atiku of empowering the party’s National Vice Chairman (North East), Engr. Babachir David Lawal, to trample on internal party procedures and agreements, all in a desperate bid to protect his 2027 presidential ambition.

“The former Vice President must take full responsibility for what is happening to ADC in Adamawa State and across the country,” Calculate declared. “To preserve his ambition, he has allowed impunity and lawlessness to thrive within the party.”

The ADC chieftain described the ongoing congresses being conducted across various states as “nullities,” citing subsisting court orders stopping them and clear violations of the party’s own constitution.

He revealed that a large number of ADC members have vowed not to recognise what they see as Atiku’s leadership style, which he said prioritises personal political survival over party cohesion.

Calculate warned that Atiku’s alleged open breaches of the constitution and disregard for court orders are handing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) powerful ammunition to potentially deregister or severely cripple the ADC ahead of future elections.

“If there had been sanity and respect for agreements, the party would not be entangled in legal battles like the one involving Nafi’u Bala Gombe, who was forced to seek redress in court over perceived injustice,” he added.

The chieftain recalled that when the coalition that expanded the ADC was formed, clear agreements were reached: legacy party members would receive 30 percent of leadership positions, state executives would be allowed to serve out their terms, and coalition members would only fill vacant positions.

“Unfortunately, haughty individuals like Babachir, backed by Atiku, found it difficult to respect this simple agreement. They dislodged existing executives and imposed new ones, against the spirit of the coalition. This is the root of the crisis rocking the state chapters,” Calculate stated.

He specifically lamented the treatment meted out to Nafi’u Bala Gombe, who was National Deputy Chairman before the coalition. “The agreement to carry him along was fulfilled only in the breach. He has been treated with sheer contempt.”

On the sensitive issue of age and leadership, Calculate threw his weight behind the idea that the party should avoid handing presidential tickets to elderly politicians.

He argued that leaders from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Bola Tinubu had failed the nation despite being relatively younger at the time they assumed office.

He pointed to recent decisions by Atiku, including an alleged request for Sen. Binos Dauda Yaroe to step down in favour of his own child for the Adamawa South Senatorial seat, as signs of “age-induced frailties.”

“In his prime, Atiku would never have contemplated asking his child to contest for a senatorial seat while he himself was running for president, let alone asking a two-term senator to withdraw,” Calculate remarked.

The ADC leader, who conducted what he described as a “holistic research” on the relevant court orders and INEC’s positions, said he found significant similarities between the court’s stance and INEC’s pronouncements.

However, he disagreed with INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition from the Sen. David Mark-led national leadership, insisting that only a court has the power to do so.

Calculate disclosed that he personally advised the party leadership to respect the court order stopping the congresses, but “buoyed by the spirit of impunity,” they proceeded anyway.

He further criticised the manner in which the congresses were conducted in Adamawa State, where over 106,000 people from rival factions reportedly purchased forms at the unit level.

“According to the party’s constitution, a proper screening committee should have been set up to verify that all aspirants are bonafide members based on financial status, nationality, and residency.

“Certificates should have been issued, and congresses held in the presence of INEC, police, and agents. None of these processes were observed,” he said.

Calculate concluded that without adherence to due process, the ADC cannot legitimately claim to have conducted valid congresses — a critical requirement for participating in future elections.

He placed the ultimate responsibility on Atiku Abubakar: “If INEC refuses to recognise the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections, Atiku should be held squarely responsible.”

The ADC has been grappling with deepening leadership crises, particularly in Adamawa State, amid rival claims to executive positions and allegations of breached coalition agreements.

The party’s internal wrangling comes as opposition figures continue to explore platforms to challenge the ruling APC in the next general elections.