By NEFISHETU YAKUBU

The Dumebi Kachikwu-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Sunday dissolved the Sen. David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) during its special convention in Abuja.

The motion for the dissolution was moved by the Benue ADC Chairman, Allias Adiku, during the party’s non-elective special convention held on Sunday.

The motion was seconded by the Zamfara ADC Chairman, Kabiru Garuba, before members unanimously adopted it through a voice vote at the convention.

The convention subsequently approved the dissolution of the former NWC and endorsed the election of a new leadership to manage the party affairs for the next four years.

The convention also ratified the adoption of the party’s 2018 constitution, as amended, as the operational framework guiding activities and administration within ADC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convention elected Abdulkadir Bashir as the new National Chairman to lead the party and pilot its affairs for the next four years.

Other elected NWC members included Johnny Derek as Deputy National Chairman and Kennedy Odion as the National Secretary, while Kingsley Ogah emerged as Chairman of Board of Trustees,

In his acceptance speech, Bashir called for unity, fairness and inclusive leadership, urging members to work collectively toward rebuilding and strengthening the party.

Bashir, an indigene of Katsina State, addressed members during the convention and pledged commitment to democratic principles, transparency and accountable leadership within the party.

He said that he began active politics in 1999 and previously contested as vice-presidential candidate under the United Democratic Party before joining ADC.

NAN reports that Bashir was also among the founding figures who introduced and expanded the ADC structure across the North-West geo-political zone.

“I contributed significantly to building the ADC structure in Katsina State and strengthening the party’s presence across the North-West geo-political zone,” he stated.

The chairman said ADC remained guided by constitutional provisions, democratic principles and internal regulations, which all party leaders and members must respect consistently.

He attributed the party’s previous internal crisis to selfish interests and attempts by some former leaders to maintain permanent control of the party structure nationwide.

“This is a political party, not a private enterprise. Every political organisation must operate according to established rules, regulations and democratic principles,” he said.

Bashir noted that good leadership required transparency, fairness, tolerance and loyalty, adding that politics was fundamentally about serving citizens responsibly and inclusively.

“A good leader must be transparent, just, tolerant and loyal because politics is ultimately about representing and serving the interests of citizens responsibly,” he stated.

He said members who resisted injustice and selfishness within the party faced opposition but remained committed to defending democratic processes through lawful and legitimate means.

“By the grace of God, we fought through lawful processes and reclaimed the party structure for members committed to democratic accountability and responsible leadership,” he added.

The chairman noted that opposition coalition groups approached ADC because it remained one of Nigeria’s strongest political parties capable of challenging the ruling party.

He also commended the party’s performance during the 2023 general elections despite internal crises that weakened operations and party structures across several states nationwide.

Bashir urged members to remain cooperative, loyal and prayerful, stressing that unity and collective commitment remained essential for rebuilding and strengthening ADC.

He assured members that the party leadership remained committed to changing Nigeria’s political narrative through responsible governance, accountability and people-oriented democratic leadership.

Bashir called on aggrieved members to forgive the past differences, return to the party and contribute collectively toward building a stronger political organisation for national development nationwide.

“Let us unite and continue the good work already started for the success of the ADC, Nigeria and the collective progress of our people,” he concluded. (NAN)

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