ADC Crisis: Suleiman Rejects Atiku’s Endorsement Of Modibbo

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Ambassador Omar Suleiman, has rejected a statement attributed to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar recognising Alhaji Modibbo as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

Suleiman, while addressing journalists in Yola, insisted that he remains the duly elected governorship candidate of the party, saying the dispute is already before the Federal High Court.

He said the ADC governorship primary was conducted under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where he emerged winner ahead of Modibbo.

According to him, his name was subsequently submitted to INEC as the party’s governorship candidate.

Suleiman said he approached the Federal High Court to challenge any attempt to substitute his name, adding that court processes had been served on INEC as well as the ADC at both national and state levels.

He described the reported endorsement of Modibbo as an attempt to overturn the decision of party members, insisting that no individual, regardless of position or influence, could alter the outcome of a primary outside due process.

“No individual, regardless of position or influence, has the authority to rewrite the outcome of a primary election outside the due process of law,” Suleiman said.

He called on Atiku to withdraw the reported statement and refrain from any action that could undermine the judicial process.

Suleiman also urged ADC members and supporters in Adamawa to remain calm, saying he would continue to defend his mandate through lawful and democratic means.

The dispute has placed the ADC’s 2027 governorship ticket in Adamawa at the centre of a political and legal battle, with the court expected to determine the legitimate candidate of the party.