From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe State has taken a new dimension, with Malam Danladi Yau insisting that he remains the authentic chairman of the party.
Yau, while addressing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting in Gombe last Friday, dismissed rival claims by Alhaji Auwal Abba Barde, who has continued to parade himself as state chairman. He brandished the official letter of appointment and introduction issued by the party’s National Working Committee in December 2022, which presented him to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the acting chairman for Gombe.
“I am the authentic chairman of the ADC in Gombe State, recognised by INEC. Anybody parading himself as chairman is fake. Barde was expelled in 2022, so how can he still claim leadership,” Yau declared.
His remarks followed a counter-move by Barde, who had earlier announced the removal of Yau from his position as the state secretary alongside the deputy chairman and youth leader. Barde, who led the ADC in Gombe since 2011, maintains loyalty among some party executives despite a September 2022 suspension by the national leadership, which accused him and 16 other state chairmen of anti-party activities.
According to Yau, Barde’s tenure expired in 2019 after completing the constitutionally allowed two terms of four years each. He argued that his continued claim to the chairmanship was illegal and damaging to the party’s credibility.
Yau pledged allegiance to the David Mark-led national leadership of the ADC and announced plans to commence fresh membership registration across all 114 wards in Gombe State. He said the initiative was part of efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He further urged residents of the state to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, describing voter participation as key to restoring democracy and challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“The ADC under my leadership is working to rescue Nigeria from APC-induced hardship. With unity, mobilisation, and commitment, we can give Nigerians the alternative they deserve,” Yau said.
With both factions entrenched, the ADC crisis in Gombe is deepening, raising doubts over the party’s capacity to present a credible opposition force against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
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