In a development described as a political earthquake in Adamawa State, a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced the suspension of its national leader, Atiku Abubakar.

The faction’s chairman, Mohammed Raji Zumo, disclosed this during a press briefing in Yola on Monday evening.

He also confirmed the suspension of the party’s national vice chairman for the North-East, Babachir Lawal.

Zumo stated that the party’s disciplinary committee had recommended the expulsion of Atiku, Lawal, and a recently elected state chairman, Sadiq Dasin.

Dasin was reportedly elected during a controversial round of congresses conducted by an ADC committee in defiance of a court order halting the exercise.

The former state chairman, Yohanna Shehu, had approached the court, alleging that he and his executive members were sidelined in the planning process.

A High Court sitting in Yola subsequently issued an order suspending the congresses and directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Explaining the rationale behind the suspensions, Zumo accused Atiku and Lawal—both influential figures from the state—of either contributing to the lingering crisis within the party or failing to resolve it.

He particularly faulted Lawal for leading the ADC congresses committee that conducted the contentious exercise over the weekend in violation of the court injunction. (The Nation)