Sokoto ADC faction reaffirms Tambuwal as guber candidate

The Nafiu Bala-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State has reaffirmed Alhaji Zaki Tambuwal as its recognised governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.

This development followed a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja on Thursday which the faction says nullified the processes that produced the David Mark-led national leadership of the party.

The State Chairman of the faction, Alhaji Umar Faruk, stated this while addressing journalists in Sokoto on Thursday.

According to Faruk, the judgment also affected the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate and other candidates nominated under the leadership structure headed by Mark.

He said the judgment represented a significant development in the party’s leadership crisis and reinforced the faction’s position that candidates who emerged under the Nafiu Bala-led leadership remained its recognised candidates.

“Our position remains clear and consistent: The leadership of the ADC under Nafiu Bala represents the leadership structure under which our candidates emerged, and all candidates nominated under his leadership remain valid and recognised by our chapter,” he said.

Faruk specifically reaffirmed Tambuwal as the faction’s governorship candidate, declaring that Alhaji Manir Dan’iya was not recognised by the Sokoto chapter under the Bala-led leadership.

The chairman said the faction considered the court’s decision an important step towards restoring constitutionalism, internal democracy and order within the party.

“The legitimacy of party leadership and political candidacies should be determined by lawful processes and the party’s constitution rather than personal interests, political influence or unilateral declarations.

“Therefore, the ADC Sokoto congratulated Bala on the court judgment; this is a significant development in the efforts to resolve the leadership crisis confronting the party,” he stated.

Faruk added that the judicial intervention demonstrated the importance of the courts in protecting democratic principles, ensuring accountability and upholding constitutional provisions within political organisations.

He called on party members, supporters and stakeholders across the state to remain calm, united and committed to the party’s activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The chairman also cautioned members against inflammatory statements, unnecessary confrontations and unauthorised political announcements capable of creating confusion over the party’s leadership and candidates.

He urged supporters at the grassroots to strengthen party structures, mobilise members and engage communities in constructive political discussions.