Adamawa ADC members protest alleged plot to replace governorship candidate

A group of members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State on Monday staged a protest over an alleged plot to replace the party’s governorship candidate, Omar Suleiman, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The demonstration, organised by the Adamawa Forward Political Organisation, was the second within a week over the issue, following a similar protest by another group, Frontier Movement 774, on Wednesday, July 22.

The protesters alleged that efforts to replace Suleiman, popularly known as Omarana, were still ongoing despite earlier opposition to the move.

They warned that they would escalate their actions beyond street protests if the alleged plan was not abandoned.

Addressing journalists during the protest, the Secretary of the Adamawa Forward Political Organisation, Joshua Buba, claimed that the alleged plot was being orchestrated at the party’s national level in Abuja.

He insisted that any attempt to replace the governorship candidate would fail.

“We warn all those planning replacement to back out. We won’t take it because we can’t see how anyone who never obtained a nomination form, let alone take part in any primary, would become our candidate,” Buba said.

Responding to questions on why the group linked the alleged plot to Abuja, he said, “We know it’s all an Abuja thing, nobody is into such treachery here; but this protest is only a warning. Anyone who goes from here to Abuja to be a part of it should not return to Adamawa. If they think they can bargain our future, they will find how wrong they are.”

None of the protesters directly accused the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of being involved in the alleged move, despite speculations in some quarters that he was behind the plot.

Political observers have linked the speculation to the fact that Suleiman was reportedly backed by former ADC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Babachir Lawal, who was said to have fallen out with Atiku before leaving the party earlier this year.

However, Atiku’s camp has denied any involvement in the alleged plot.

Reacting to the claims last week, the former vice president’s media aide, Phrank Shaibu, described the allegations as false and baseless, maintaining that Atiku respects internal party democracy.

Shaibu also stated that Atiku neither convened any meeting nor directed the replacement of any party candidate.