By Rauf Oyewole
The Bauchi State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has denied rumours regarding the purported removal of its State Chairman, Hon. Hassan Haruna, describing the move as a failed attempt by expelled members to fracture the party.
Hon. Haruna, the State Chairperson, dismissed the purported leadership change, revealing that a group of suspended and expelled members had been contracted to destabilize the chapter.
He noted that these individuals have gone as far as opening a parallel secretariat and paraded a factional leader without any legal backing.
Addressing the legitimacy of the move, Haruna argued that the group lacked the constitutional power to remove a sitting chairman.
He emphasized that the party has a clear due process for leadership changes, which was ignored. According to him, his leadership remains intact and enjoys the full loyalty of the chairpersons across all 20 local government areas.
“They do not have the legal support to create such factions. About two months ago, they attempted to team up as a disciplinary committee a right they do not possess and they failed,” Haruna stated.
Responding to the specific allegation that he was conniving with non-members, Haruna defended his inclusive approach, citing the ADC’s status as a coalition party.
He explained that the party is open to all, and the faction’s grievances stem from a misunderstanding of this collaborative framework.
The leadership has further alleged that the crisis is being fueled by external forces.
Haruna claimed the impostors are working in concert with elected officials from rival parties who are threatened by the ADC’s growing profile.
The party described the faction’s conduct as a desperate attempt to arrest the party’s momentum in the state, labeling their actions as alien to the ADC’s values and principles.
The ADC has urged party faithful and the general public to completely disregard the statements and activities of the faction.
The leadership assured members that it remains focused and united, adding that necessary disciplinary steps are being taken through appropriate channels to address the acts of impersonation and gross indiscipline.