Zamfara ADC Fractures as Rival Factions Claim Control Following Disputed Leadership Congress

The African Democratic Congress in Zamfara faces a leadership crisis as two factions claim legitimacy after a disputed congress and seek police intervention.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 3:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

Leadership Vacuum Triggers Confrontation Between Rival Factions

A deep internal rift has paralyzed the Zamfara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress as two distinct groups move to seize the party’s administrative machinery. The conflict erupted after a contested congress led to conflicting claims of legitimacy, with Malam Mohammed Mainasara and Kabiru Garba Gusau both asserting their right to govern the state branch. This escalation marks a significant breakdown in internal party cohesion, threatening the ADC’s organizational stability in the region as both sides refuse to recognize the other’s authority.

Official Authorization Cited by New Executive Committee Members

According to Malam Mohammed Mainasara, the recent leadership transition was a legitimate exercise sanctioned by the party’s national headquarters. Mainasara, who reportedly headed the committee responsible for the congress, stated that the process was supervised by a dedicated team including Ambassador Zubairu Yalwa. He maintains that the committee successfully facilitated the emergence of a new State Executive Committee through a consensus model supported by relevant party stakeholders. This new lineup identifies Malam Shehu Gulubba as the State Chairman and Dr Ahmad Hashim as the Secretary, signaling an attempt to move past previous leadership structures.

Gusau Denounces Process as Invalid and Politically Motivated

The incumbent figure in the dispute, Kabiru Garba Gusau, has launched a vigorous defense of his position while dismissing the legitimacy of the newly announced leaders. Gusau contends that the congress was an invalid exercise orchestrated by individuals intent on sowing discord within the party for narrow political gains. According to Gusau, any valid congress requires comprehensive consultation and a level of agreement among all party members that was notably absent from this process. He insists that his administration remains the only legally recognized leadership body in the state, describing the rival camp’s actions as a breach of party protocol.