ABUJA – A leadership crisis within Nigeria’s Action Democratic Party (ADP) deepened on Saturday after the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Sani Dawop, publicly disputed reports that National Chairman Yabagi Yusuf Sani had been suspended. The dispute follows a statement by ADP National Secretary Victor Fingesi that claimed the chairman was placed on interim suspension over alleged forgery and unauthorised interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) candidate‑nomination portal.
Dr Dawop asserted that Yabagi Yusuf Sani remains the duly elected National Chairman, noting that his mandate was renewed at the party’s National Convention held on 29‑30 May 2026. He described the allegations of forgery, financial impropriety and interference with INEC as “unsubstantiated” and said no constitutionally valid decision had been taken to remove or suspend the chairman.
According to Fingesi, the suspension notice was formally communicated to INEC Chairman Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan in a letter signed by him. He said the motion for the interim suspension was moved by National Legal Adviser Richard Hwande, seconded by National Youth Leader Chinazam Ike, and approved by a majority of the Emergency National Working Committee (NWC) members present.
Dr Dawop clarified that the Emergency NWC meeting held on 4 November dealt with disciplinary concerns involving Victor Fingesi, not the party chairman. He said the meeting examined Fingesi’s alleged insubordination, refusal to comply with lawful directives and conduct that could undermine party unity. A motion moved by National Special Duties Secretary and Acting Deputy National Secretary Fatima Sani Muhammed invoked Article 23.2(e) of the ADP Constitution 2026 to suspend Fingesi on an interim basis, a motion that was seconded, passed and took effect on 4 November.
In a statement, Dr Dawop maintained that the operative disciplinary decision concerned only Victor Fingesi. He urged that any accusations against Yabagi Yusuf Sani be supported by credible evidence and subjected to proper investigation and fair hearing. Dawop called for independent inquiries into the alleged irregularities on the INEC nomination portal and for any audit of party finances to be conducted through the appropriate constitutional bodies, warning against the misuse of the party’s name, letterhead and communication channels.
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<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
