Those threatening storm in Adamawa ADC are mortally afraid of competition – Dr. Laweso
• Says our party can do without dictators, pseudo-democrats
The internal turbulence rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State has again exposed the perennial struggle between reformists and retrogressive forces within Nigeria’s political system, a senior party stakeholder in Adamawa Dr. Ahmed Laweso has revealed.
Following the decision of the party’s national hierarchy to constitute an interim leadership committee for Adamawa State under the supervision of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, some stalwarts of the party have threatened to dump the ADC, a move the chieftain described as “a coward response by people mortally afraid of competition.”
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Speaking with our reporter in Yola, the chieftain, accused certain political gladiators of attempting to manufacture artificial crises within the ADC in order to advance their narrow ambitions.
According to him, “patriotic members of the party will not sit idly while a handful of dictators, impostors, and pseudo-democrats destroy the foundation of the ADC in Adamawa.”
Laweso expressed confidence that Atiku Abubakar, who has been instrumental in rebuilding the ADC’s structure across Nigeria would whether the storm as he is an old war horse who is use to the trenches.
”Atiku would never allow a group of political musketeers to hijack the party and administer it according to their personal whims and caprices.
“The former vice president has always emphasized discipline, inclusivity, and internal democracy. Only those ready to play by the rules will be given the chance in this new dispensation,” he said.
The chieftain did not mince words in pointing accusing fingers at former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, and the ADC’s North-East National Vice Chairman, alleging that he was running the party “like personal property.”
He said Lawal was given the responsibility to resolve the leadership crises in both Adamawa and Gombe States but failed woefully, leading to protests by senior stakeholders which led to the eventual rejection of his recommendations by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
“Instead of accepting responsibility for his failure, he is turning around to rebel against Atiku Abubakar’s intervention. Ironically, Lawal himself is a beneficiary of Atiku’s political magnanimity. When he was appointed as zonal vice chairman, there was stiff opposition, but Atiku persuaded everyone to allow him to serve. This open rebellion is therefore a betrayal of trust,” he noted
The party stalwart further alleged that those now threatening to leave the ADC are individuals desperate for automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 elections.
“These are politicians who detest internal democracy with passion. They want to be handed tickets on a platter of gold without going through the rigours of party primaries. Now that the process is being democratized, they are crying foul. But the truth is that their departure will be a good riddance to bad rubbish,” he added.
He maintained that the ADC under Atiku’s watch is determined to entrench democratic culture and promote meritocracy by sticking to the rule of law and ensuring the entrenchment of best practices, and enabling environment.
“We will no longer tolerate moneybags who think they can buy influence or impose candidates. The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to the people, and its future will not be mortgaged to pseudo-democrats masquerading as heroes,” he said.
Recounting the background of the party’s lingering leadership problem, Laweso noted that several efforts had been made by various stakeholders to restore normalcy, but all failed due to entrenched personal and political interests.
He revealed that many of those appointed in the past to mediate in the crisis were themselves biased or tied to particular factions, making genuine reconciliation impossible.
“It was in recognition of this impasse that the national secretariat decided to give Atiku Abubakar the role to intervene and chart a sustainable course. As a statesman, Atiku’s approach was different. He consulted widely with the grassroots, respected elders, youth leaders, and women groups before arriving at the decision to constitute an interim executive. Every local government and ward structure had input in that process and every stakeholder also had input in it,” he noted.
According to him, the interim leadership that emerged from that consensus was not the product of imposition but of collective deliberation and broad-based participation.
“The new interim chairman has no direct connection with any of the known power blocs. He is neutral, mature, and credible enough to restore confidence in the party. That is what some people are afraid of, a fair system that will not bend to their dictates,’ he said.
The chieftain stressed that Atiku’s involvement should be viewed as an act of statesmanship which deserves commendation by all patriotic members of the party.
“As one of the most experienced political leaders in the country, Atiku understands the importance of harmony within party structures. He knows that peace and harmony can not be attained where there is no justice. His intervention is to ensure the party’s victory in 2027. Those twisting his effort into a power grab are being mischievous.”
He added that those rebelling against Atiku’s intervention are indirectly trying to portray the former vice president as a weak leader who cannot maintain order in his own immediate political turf.
“That’s a very dangerous narrative. They forget that Atiku’s leadership has been the backbone of many political reforms in Nigeria’s democratic journey. To undermine him is to undermine the stability of the entire ADC structure in the Northeast and Nigeria,” he noted.
The chieftain was categorical that the ADC would survive without those threatening to defect. “No political party can grow when held hostage by self-serving individuals. If they choose to leave, so be it. The ADC must move on with genuine members committed to service, fairness, and integrity,” he added.
He further urged loyal party members to remain steadfast and avoid being swayed by propaganda.
“We must stay focused. The party’s mission is to build a credible alternative that will challenge the status quo in 2027. That mission cannot be derailed by people whose only motive is to achieve their personal desires hook, line and sinker,” he added.
He noted that the only offence of Mallam Saidu Komsiri, the interim ADC chairman in Adamawa is that his loyalty only rests with Atiku and the party.
”It is a known fact that Atiku has no anointed candidate at whatever level of election. His philosophy in zero tolerance for consensus is founded on democratic ethos of fair play. As a loyalist of Atiku and respecter of democracy, Komsiri will ensure that candidates emerge through rigorous party primaries so that whoever emerged will have an easy sail at the general elections. That principled stance is obverse to the posture of many elements hence the outcry,” he noted.
Contrary to the insinuations being projected that Komsiri is a greenhorn who will be sheepishly teleguided, Laweso said, the party’s chairman is a thoroughbred educationist, accomplished administrator and a technocrat par excellence.
”Mallam Saidu Komsiri, holds masters degree in education. He is a seasoned educationist who served as a principal for 15 years.
”He was once a development area administrator who later enrolled in civil service and worked with Adamawa State Universal Education Board (ADSUBEB) and rose to the position of a director before he retired. He is behind the employment of over 10,000 teachers when he served as a director in ADSUBEB. Before he became DG Atiku support group, he has made substantial personal achievements.
”His loyalty and allegiance is to Waziri Adamawa and our party. He has no relationship with any of the known gladiators that is why they are fighting him. He will create an enabling environment for every competitor. No consensus, no imposition. Even Atiku will participate in a free and fair primaries. So let no one deceive himself that he will get free meal ticket under Komsiri’s dispensation,” Laweso noted.
