Leadership Crisis Rocks Zamfara ADC as Rival Factions Claim Control

The Zamfara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been engulfed in a leadership crisis following the emergence of two rival factions, each laying claim to the party’s structure in the state.

The factions are led by Kabiru Garba Gusau and Shehu Muhammad Maisshanu Guluba, both of whom insist they are the legitimate leaders of the party in Zamfara State.

Despite the dispute over the party’s leadership, the two camps have maintained a common position that Barrister Mahadi Aliyu Gusau remains the ADC governorship candidate after emerging victorious in the party’s primary election.

Addressing journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Guluba dismissed reports suggesting that the party had replaced its governorship candidate, describing the claims as false and misleading.

He reaffirmed that Mahadi Aliyu Gusau remains the ADC candidate for the 2027 governorship election and urged party members and supporters to disregard any information indicating otherwise.

Guluba also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to create confusion within the party through the circulation of misinformation.

According to him, the governorship candidate remains focused on his campaign and committed to offering effective leadership to the people of Zamfara State.

Meanwhile, the faction led by Kabiru Garba Gusau insisted that he remains the duly recognised chairman of the ADC in the state.

Gusau maintained that any attempt to recognise another individual as chairman was contrary to the party’s constitution, stressing that he was validly elected into office.

He further claimed that his leadership enjoys the recognition of the party’s national secretariat, noting that the congress which produced him was conducted under the supervision of officials from the ADC national headquarters.

According to him, the party’s constitutional processes were duly followed and his emergence as state chairman remains valid.

The development underscores growing internal tensions within the Zamfara ADC as rival groups continue to battle for control of the party structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While both factions remain divided over the leadership of the party in the state, they have continued to express support for Mahadi Aliyu Gusau as the party’s governorship candidate.

Political observers say the outcome of the leadership dispute could play a significant role in determining the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects in Zamfara as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.