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Fresh cracks have emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, as a powerful bloc aligned with Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani announced a mass resignation from the party, citing what it described as a “total collapse of internal democracy.”

The decision, contained in a communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the residence of Hon. Mijiyewa Umaru Kugama, signals a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group, drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state, accused the party leadership at both state and national levels of undermining democratic principles and imposing illegitimate structures.

“The actions of the party leadership have destroyed internal democracy, undermined the rule of law, and rendered the party structure in Adamawa State illegitimate and unacceptable,” the communiqué stated.

At the heart of the crisis are the recently concluded party congresses, which stakeholders claim were marred by manipulation and imposition under the leadership of Ishaya Bauka (retd).

According to the group, court rulings and existing injunctions were ignored, creating what they described as a “dangerous precedent of lawlessness.”

“The congresses were fundamentally flawed, manipulated, and imposed against the will of the majority of party members,” the stakeholders alleged.

They further accused party officials of sidelining key actors through “systematic exclusion, intimidation, and imposition,” arguing that the ADC has consequently lost its credibility as a democratic platform in the state.

In a series of far-reaching resolutions, the faction declared a vote of no confidence in the ADC leadership and announced its “immediate and irreversible resignation en masse” from the party.

The group also rejected all outcomes of the disputed congresses, declaring them “null and void.”

“We refuse to be part of a system that thrives on injustice, impunity, and illegality,” the communiqué read.

The stakeholders confirmed plans to align with a new political platform, although no party was officially named.

However, they mandated Senator Binani to spearhead the transition and coordinate a unified strategy ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Political observers say the development could significantly reshape the political landscape in Adamawa, particularly with Binani expected to remain a central figure in the 2027 governorship race.

The communiqué outlined plans for a coordinated defection structure spanning polling units, wards, and local government areas, alongside aggressive grassroots mobilisation under a new platform.

“This decision marks the beginning of a new political direction anchored on credibility, inclusiveness, and true democratic ideals,” the stakeholders concluded.

The crisis adds to growing tensions within opposition parties nationwide, with analysts warning that unresolved internal disputes could weaken party cohesion ahead of future elections.

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Morocco has released three Senegalese football fans who were imprisoned following the violent unrest that marred the Africa Cup of Nations Final 2025 in Rabat.

The trio regained their freedom on Saturday after completing three-month jail terms handed down for their roles in the clashes that erupted during the high-tension final.

The supporters were among a group of Senegalese fans arrested and prosecuted over incidents including hooliganism, vandalism, and attempted pitch invasion during the chaotic showdown.

Authorities confirmed the released fans had served the shortest sentences, while others convicted over the violence remain in custody serving longer jail terms.

The unrest during the final sparked diplomatic concern and drew criticism from officials in Senegal, further straining tensions in the aftermath of one of the most controversial finals in AFCON history.

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The African Democratic Congress has warned President Bola Tinubu to be concerned about a possible electoral defeat in 2027, saying that widespread hardship and worsening living conditions have eroded public confidence in his administration’s policies.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said Tinubu appears increasingly detached from the realities of hardship, insecurity, and widespread frustration confronting millions of Nigerians.

Reacting to criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Peter Obi (Anambra) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), among other African Democratic Congress leaders during their April 14 national convention, President Tinubu said he cannot be intimidated, while accusing the coalition figures of trying to privatise the ADC and describing their gathering as a “street convention.”

In response, the ADC described the President’s comments as unpresidential, alleging that he appears more focused on politics while many Nigerians continue to grapple with worsening poverty and increasing vulnerability to insurgency and kidnappings.

The party stated, “The African Democratic Congress has taken note of the comments made by Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa concerning the ADC and the state of the opposition. What Nigerians saw was not the confidence of a leader in control. It was the anxiety of a President increasingly disconnected from the reality of hardship, insecurity, and frustration facing millions of citizens.

“At a time when families are battling a historic cost-of-living crisis, food inflation, rising debt burdens, and collapsing purchasing power, the President chose to mock the opposition instead of addressing the suffering of Nigerians. However, even as he spoke, reports of children being abducted from examination centres were circulating. This is the reality of today’s Nigeria, insecurity spreading deeper into everyday life while the government appears distracted.

“The President should not be ridiculing the opposition. He should be deeply concerned that the majority of Nigerians have rejected his government, whose ill-conceived policies have ruined lives and destroyed livelihoods. These are the reasons he should be scared, because the people are determined to vote him out.”

ADC also dismissed what they described as a misleading account of the party’s National Convention.

It added, “We did not hold our convention on the street. If that was the story supplied to the President by agents of disruption, then he has been misinformed.

“But even if any opposition party were forced to gather outside established venues, Nigerians would understand why. Under this administration, democratic space has shrunk significantly. No government before now had denied political parties fair access to public venues such as Eagle Square, a national civic ground that belongs to all Nigerians, not to any ruling party.

“The President also cannot preach separation of powers while simultaneously assuming the role of interpreter of the law, political referee, and commentator on judicial matters. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot be a President and a judge at the same time.

“If this administration truly respected the separation of powers, Nigerians would not have witnessed the repeated weakening and humiliation of institutions meant to serve as checks and balances. The legislature, in particular, has too often appeared reduced to an extension of executive convenience.”

The party also accused the President of recently trying to win over supporters of the late Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was hypocritical to distance himself from Buhari’s record in the past only to reverse course ahead of the election.

It added, “The issue before the country today is simple: hardship is rising, insecurity is worsening, debt is mounting, and hope is fading. No amount of political theatre can hide that truth.

“The ADC remains focused on building a credible alternative anchored on competence, security, prosperity, and democratic freedom. Nigerians deserve better than excuses, propaganda, and power games.”