By HAUWA IBRAHIM, Birnin Kebbi

A leadership crisis has hit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State, following the announcement of the suspension of Dr. Sadeeq Sule-Iko Sami (Ph.D) from the party, a move another faction swiftly dismissed as false and politically-motivated.

In a statement dated October 25, 2025, and signed by Engr. Abubakar Atiku Musa, Publicity Secretary of ADC Kebbi State Chapter, the party said Dr. Sule-Iko had been suspended indefinitely over what it described as his unauthorized self-declaration as state chairman without due process or party approval.

The statement cited a directive from the National Working Committee (NWC) that all state executives remain in office until their tenure expires in May 2026, and warned Dr. Sule-Iko against attending any party meetings or functions.

It reaffirmed Engr. Sufiyanu Bala as the legitimate and duly-recognized ADC chairman in Kebbi State, noting that security agencies had been notified to restrain Dr. Sule-Iko from “parading himself as chairman.”

Members and the public were also advised to disregard any statement or publication from Dr. Sule-Iko “that does not reflect the official position of the ADC.”

However, in a counter statement issued the next day, October 26, 2025, a group of Kebbi ADC stakeholders denounced the purported suspension as “a baseless act of political mischief.”

The rebuttal, signed by SA Media for the Kebbi ADC Stakeholders Forum, whose name was missing the rebuttal, maintained that Dr. Sadeeq Sule-Iko Sami remains the legitimate and recognized ADC chairman, enjoying the confidence of party stakeholders, grassroots members, and coalition partners across the state.

It described the alleged suspension as “null, void, and of no consequence whatsoever,” accusing a “tiny faction driven by envy and self-interest” of attempting to destabilize the party’s progress.

The stakeholders reaffirmed their confidence in Dr. Sule-Iko’s inclusive and transparent leadership, urging party members and the public to ignore the “falsehood” and continue supporting him in his efforts to strengthen the ADC in Kebbi State.

Both camps, however, claim to represent the true leadership of the ADC in Kebbi, underscoring growing tension within the party’s state chapter.