ADC Faction Refutes Tambuwal Defection

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State has dismissed reports that former governor and senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has joined the party, saying he did not follow the constitutional process required for membership.

The faction, led by the state chairman, Umar Faruk, said there was no record of Tambuwal registering at the ward level, which it described as the only legitimate pathway for joining the party.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s publicity secretary, Murtala Aliyu, the group said checks with party officials in Tambuwal’s ward and local government area showed no evidence that the former governor had formally enrolled as a member.

According to the statement, the party reached out to the ADC chairman in Tambuwal Ward as well as the party chairman in Tambuwal Local Government Area, Aminu Tambari, both of whom reportedly denied any knowledge of the alleged defection.

“The leadership of the party in the ward and local government where Senator Tambuwal hails from confirmed that they were neither informed nor consulted about the alleged defection, as required by the party’s constitution and procedures,” the statement said.

The faction also warned the party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Belo Isiyaku, popularly known as Keegan, to stop portraying himself as having the authority to admit individuals into the party.

It stressed that party membership cannot be processed privately, noting that all new entrants must register at the ward level under the supervision of the ward chairman.

The group further cautioned Tambuwal against interfering in the party’s activities in Sokoto State, warning that such actions could attract legal consequences.

“Therefore, the party leadership warns Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal not to involve himself in matters concerning the ADC in Sokoto State, as doing so may compel the party to take legal action,” the statement added.

Despite the dispute, the faction maintained that the ADC remains open to new members who are willing to follow the established procedures.
“The ADC welcomes all individuals who wish to contribute to the growth of the party, but it will not tolerate any form of backdoor entry,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP reported that Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State and a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday announced his resignation from the party in a post on his X handle, stating that he had formally communicated the decision to his ward chairman.
“Today, after deep reflection and consultations, I have formally resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and I have communicated my resignation to my ward chairman in writing.

“The PDP has been a significant part of my political journey, and I remain grateful for the opportunities it gave me to serve our nation, including as Speaker of the House of Representatives and as Governor of Sokoto State during my second term in office.

However, the persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and growing divisions within the PDP have made it increasingly difficult to continue my membership of the party. These developments have unfortunately weakened the unity and direction that once defined the party and have necessitated this decision,” he added.