Kaduna ADC Crisis: Lukman Calls for Unity to Advert 2027 Setback

Kaduna ADC Crisis: Lukman Calls for Unity to Avert 2027 Setback

 

 

Salisu Mohammed Lukman, a key chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has sounded the alarm over what he described as a dangerous scramble for control of party structures in Kaduna State, warning that the internal power tussle could weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

In a statement released on Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, Lukman expressed concern that the party, instead of consolidating its foundation, is being consumed by ambitions of individual politicians. “Instead of working to build the party, we are setting ourselves to produce a party whose business will be limited to presenting candidates for elections,” he lamented.

 

The former Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum described the race to dominate the ADC’s structures as “madness” and warned that it poses the biggest threat to the party’s prospects in Kaduna. He noted that some opposition leaders are allegedly taking sides with specific aspirants rather than offering neutral guidance, a development he said could leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) unchallenged.

 

“Sadly, some of our leaders, instead of providing fair leadership, are strengthening aspiring candidates for 2027 elections across the state to the exclusion of others,” Lukman said.

 

He appealed directly to prominent opposition figures, including former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Malam Jaafaru Sani, and Alhaji Bashir Saidu, urging them to intervene and discourage the divisive scramble for party control.

 

Lukman admitted personal disappointment that efforts to mediate had not yielded the desired unity. He cited the activities of Senator Musa Bello in Zone 2 as an example of ongoing divisions, saying: “The fact that we have Sen. Musa Bello aggressively seeking to control structures of ADC in Zone 2 is a reflection of my failure.”

 

Despite these challenges, Lukman reaffirmed his commitment to collective leadership and warned that personal ambition must be set aside if the ADC is to emerge as a strong alternative to the APC. “If ADC is to emerge as a strong party capable of defeating the APC in Kaduna State, we must agree to work together,” he said.

 

He further stressed that defeating the APC should not be the party’s sole objective. Instead, the focus should be on building a government under the ADC that embodies inclusivity and collective leadership. “We need to put an end to the era when we produce emperors as governors. Anything short of producing a government managed by collective leadership under ADC will be unacceptable,” he added.

 

Concluding his message, Lukman prayed for divine guidance for the party’s leadership. “May God Almighty touch the hearts of all of us and guide us towards unity both within the ADC and in the state,” he said.

 

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the ADC’s ability to overcome internal divisions and present a united front will be critical in determining its effectiveness as a viable opposition force in Kaduna State.