From Edirin Robinson and Divine Macaulay, in Kaduna
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State has raised the alarm over what it described as clandestine attempts by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, allegedly to infiltrate and destabilise the party in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, leaders of the party said El-Rufai, who they claimed has never formally registered with the ADC, was working behind the scenes using remnants of his old political structure in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to hijack the ADC for personal ambitions.
Reading the text of the press conference on behalf of the other leaders of the Party, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, said that the ADC would not be a “willing tool in the hands of any individual,” stressing that the party remains focused on building a credible, people-oriented alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, “We are open to all Nigerians who believe in our values,” he said. “But we will not allow our party to be turned into a political vehicle for anyone’s project. El-Rufai’s subversive moves are unacceptable and will be strongly resisted.”
He noted that while the party encourages healthy competition and legitimate aspirations, it would not condone any behaviour reminiscent of the “destructive tendencies of the old parties” that have stifled Nigeria’s development.
The party leaders accused El-Rufai of attempting to create a faction within the ADC through “acts of subterfuge and alignment with rival political interests,” warning that such actions were a direct threat to the unity and internal democracy of the party.
They called on the former governor to immediately desist from any activity capable of undermining the integrity of the ADC, urging him instead to respect the rules of engagement and allow due process to prevail.
Reaffirming its support for the leadership of National Chairman Senator David Mark, the Kaduna ADC restated its commitment to mobilizing the people for a just and progressive political future, vowing not to be distracted or derailed from its mission.
