A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, has admonished former governor of the state, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, to desist from alleged attempts to infiltrate and destabilise the party in the state.
The party leader accused El-Rufai of orchestrating moves to hijack the party’s structure through what he called “subversive alliances” and “illegitimate political manoeuvres” despite not being a registered member of the party at the ward level, which is a constitutional prerequisite for membership.
Mustapha, at a press conference yesterday in Kaduna, cautioned El-Rufai to desist from all actions capable of undermining the unity and democratic integrity of the party.
“Let it be clearly understood that the Kaduna State Chapter of the ADC will not be a willing tool in the hands of any individual, nor will we be beholden to interests that seek to undermine our collective vision”.
He alleged that El-Rufai, in collaboration with remnants of his former Social Democratic Party (SDP) allies and other political actors, had been working behind the scenes to create a faction within the ADC, with the aim of converting it into a personal political platform ahead of future electoral contests.
“This is not only unacceptable, but a direct threat to the unity, discipline, and democratic values that define the ADC”.
According to the party leader, while ADC remains open to all Nigerians who genuinely align with its values, it will not tolerate actions that resemble what it described as “the destructive tendencies of the old parties that have stalled Nigeria’s progress”.
Mustapha reaffirmed ADC loyalty to its founding principles and declared full support for the leadership of its new national chairman, Senator David Mark, reiterating its commitment to presenting Nigerians with a progressive and people-oriented alternative to the ruling APC.
“We call on Nasir El-Rufai to respect the democratic ideals of our party, allow due process to prevail, and cease all disruptive activities,” Mustapha warned.
He further emphasised that the ADC’s focus remains on mobilising the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large towards building a just, democratic, and prosperous nation.
