A leadership crisis has emerged in the Adamawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following reports of an alleged plan to replace the party’s governorship candidate, Suleiman Umar, with Abduralman Haske ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development has sparked reactions within the party, with the 21 local government chairmen in the state declaring their support for Umar.
The endorsement followed a closed-door meeting between the chairmen and the governorship candidate at Mama Chare Hotel, Karewa GRA, Yola, on Saturday night.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the ADC Chairman in Girei Local Government Area, Abubakar Audu, reaffirmed the party’s support for Umar, noting that he emerged as the party’s candidate through direct primaries.
“We today pass a vote of confidence on the party’s acting chairman, Mr Sadiq Dasin, and our governorship candidate, Suleiman Umar,” Mr Audu said.
Chairmen dismiss replacement reports
Reacting to reports that Mr Umar could be replaced by Haske, Mr Audu maintained that the state chapter had not been informed of any such decision.
“That is an Abuja issue. We in Adamawa ADC are not involved, and nobody has contacted us. As far as we are concerned, there is nothing like that; it is just a rumour,” he stated.
Party source claims replacement plan exists
However, a senior ADC chieftain in Adamawa, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to comment publicly, alleged that the party’s national leadership had already concluded plans to replace Mr Umar.
According to the source, Mr Umar attended a meeting in Abuja where national leaders explained the reasons behind the proposed replacement.
“Suleiman is fully aware. He attended a meeting in Abuja where the national leaders explained why the party wanted to replace him with Haske ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the source claimed.
The source further alleged that Mr Umar was asked to disclose how much he had spent on his campaign with the assurance that the money would be refunded.
According to the chieftain, Mr Umar later returned to Yola and mobilised the 21 local government chairmen to publicly reaffirm their confidence in him and the acting caretaker committee chairman, Sadiq Dasin.
Political calculations behind alleged move
The party source claimed the reported plan to substitute Mr Umar was influenced by Haske’s political structure across Adamawa’s 21 local government areas.
He also argued that Haske’s emergence could strengthen the party because he comes from the state’s largest senatorial district, which comprises nine local government areas.
According to the source, the party believes the combination of the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and a governorship candidate from the same strategic zone could improve its electoral prospects.
The source added that Umar and the APC governorship candidate, Tijani Galadima, are from the same senatorial district, which is the smallest in the state, a factor reportedly influencing the party’s calculations.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) picked Adamu Kamele from the northern senatorial district as its deputy governorship candidate, while the Labour Party (LP) selected Senator Ishaku Abbo, also from the northern zone, as its governorship candidate.
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