Adamawa ADC disowns Umarana, details fresh structure for membership drive
The Adamawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has distanced itself from Ambassador Umarana Suleiman over his alleged recognition of a transition committee instead of working with the harmonized state as the party mobilized fresh membership via Membership Mobilization, Revalidation and Registration (MMRR) exercise.
The party leadership had earlier accused Umarana, the state chairman of MMRR of insubordination to the directives of the party’s national leader, Atiku Abubakar, and the National Working Committee (NWC), following his alleged refusal to work with the harmonized state executive in the conduct of its assignment.
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The fresh clarification comes amid renewed tension within the party, weeks after internal disputes were said to have been resolved through a harmonization process that produced a unified state executive under the leadership of Shehu Yohanna.
A press release signed by Chief Peter Hadley Dili, Secretary of the MMRR in Adamawa, the party confirmed that the inauguration of MMRR committees across the 36 states and the FCT was formally conducted by the ADC National Headquarters on February 12, 2026, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the ceremony brought together state chairmen, coalition partners and legacy party members in what was described as a demonstration of unity and renewed commitment to strengthening party structures nationwide.
He noted that following the Abuja inauguration, the Adamawa chapter convened a stakeholders’ meeting to deliberate on modalities for implementing the exercise across the state’s 21 local government areas and 226 wards.
The statement disclosed that, in compliance with national directives, stakeholders unanimously constituted a multi-layered committee structure to guarantee transparency, accountability and effective coordination.
According to Dilli, the newly outlined structure include, State MMRR Steering Committee, Chaired by Ambassador Umar Suleiman Dokaji Adamawa, with Chief Peter Hadley Dili as Secretary. The committee is mandated to provide policy direction, supervise the exercise and liaise with the National Headquarters.
He noted that the State Technical and Data Management Committee is also
Tasked with managing registration materials, collation and validation of data, and secure handling of membership records just as state Mobilization and Publicity Committee is Charged with sensitizing members and the public, coordinating grassroots mobilization and engaging coalition partners.
He said the LGA MMRR Implementation Committees (21 LGAs) is Responsible for supervising ward-level activities and submitting periodic reports while Ward MMRR Registration Committees (226 Wards) Mandated to conduct direct registration and revalidation while maintaining accurate records in line with party guidelines.
The party emphasized that the exercise would be conducted with “utmost transparency, inclusiveness and strict adherence to constitutional provisions.”
Despite listing Ambassador Umarana as chairman of the State Steering Committee, the press release expressed regret that he reportedly informed party representatives that the transition committee was not obligated to work with the Adamawa ADC structure.
This position, party leaders say, contradicts the harmonization agreement and the directive that all MMRR activities must align with the recognized state executive.
Chief Dili reiterated that both he and Umarana were issued 50,000 membership cards each in Abuja to facilitate the exercise, but maintained that the guidelines clearly required collaboration with the state exco.
Speaking the State Chairman Shehu Yohanna insisted there is no leadership vacuum in Adamawa ADC, stressing that the transition committee’s 90-day mandate had elapsed and that the harmonized executive remains the only legitimate authority in the state.
Yohanna who said the party remains one indivisible entity in Adamawa State maintained that ADC has been active in Adamawa since 2019, when it fielded governorship candidates.
He therefore lamented the actions of Umarana as a huge disservice noting that the claims by the senior stakeholder not to recognize the existing state exco is strange and a gross insubordination.
“There is no vacuum in ADC. The party has not been dissolved by the national leadership. We have functional structures from the state to the ward level. Anybody saying there is no party is mistaken,” Yohanna said.
He explained that the transition committee was created only to mobilize coalition partners into the party within a 90-day timeframe, a mandate he said has elapsed.
While ruling out immediate disciplinary action, Yohanna stressed that the party’s doors remain open to all members willing to work within the recognized structure.
“We are proceeding with the membership registration. ADC in Adamawa is united, strong, and focused. Our goal is to build a formidable opposition and position ourselves to form government,” he added.
Shehu assured members and the public that the registration and revalidation exercise will commence officially through the party headquarters in line with national guidelines.
Meanwhile, Hon. Bamanga Yahaya Nuhu, recently appointed Alternate Chairman of the MMRR, pledged to ensure continuity of the exercise in line with national directives, reaffirming loyalty to the party’s national leadership.
Nuhu, who described himself as a loyal party member and ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said he accepted the role to prevent disruption within the party.
“Our leader has endorsed the harmonized state working committee as the authentic leadership of ADC in Adamawa. As loyal members, we must respect that position. My duty is to ensure materials are distributed properly to local governments and wards,” he stated.
He clarified that ward chairmen are the only authorized officials to register members and sign membership cards, urging party faithful to return to their wards to formalize their membership
He called on members across all 21 LGAs and 226 wards to actively participate in what it described as a historic mobilization effort aimed at consolidating and repositioning the party ahead of future political engagements.
“Together, we shall consolidate, harmonize and reposition the ADC for greater victories,” he said.
