The national leadership of Nigeria’s Action Democratic Party (ADP) has firmly denied reports that the party’s National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, has been suspended. The party dismissed allegations of forgery, unauthorized interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal, financial impropriety, and anti-party activities against Sani, stating that no valid decision to remove him has been taken.
Dr. Sani Dawop, the ADP’s National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement on Wednesday, 5 November 2026, clarifying that Sani remains the duly elected National Chairman. Dawop noted that Sani’s mandate was renewed at the party’s National Convention held on 29 and 30 May 2026. He emphasized that the party categorically disputes the account presented in recent media reports, which purported to show a suspension decision by the National Working Committee (NWC).
“The National Leadership categorically disputes this account and rejects the attempt to present contested allegations and purported proceedings as the settled institutional position of the Action Democratic Party,” Dawop stated.
The controversy stems from articles published in the Vanguard and Blueprint newspapers on 6 November 2026, which claimed that the NWC had suspended Sani over alleged forgery. In response, the ADP leadership clarified that the emergency NWC meeting held on 4 November 2026 did not address the National Chairman. Instead, the session focused on persistent disciplinary concerns involving Hon. Victor Fingesi, the party’s National Secretary.
According to Dawop, the NWC considered Fingesi’s responses to previous queries, alleged acts of insubordination, and his refusal to comply with lawful directives from the party leadership. The party described Fingesi’s conduct as capable of undermining the unity, discipline, and institutional integrity of the ADP, noting that his actions bordered on conduct contrary to party supremacy.
Following deliberations and appeals for Fingesi to retract disputed statements and apologize, Ms. Fatima Sani Muhammed, the National Special Duties Secretary and Acting Deputy National Secretary, moved a motion under Article 23.2(e) of the ADP Constitution 2026. The motion sought the immediate interim suspension of Fingesi from his functions as National Secretary, the commencement of a disciplinary investigation, and the referral of the decision to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for ratification.
The motion was seconded and passed at the emergency meeting, with the interim suspension taking effect from 4 November 2026. Dawop noted that both Fingesi and Mr. Ike Chinazam, the National Youth Leader, were present at the meeting, which formed a quorum. The ADP maintains that the operative disciplinary decision arising from the meeting concerned only Hon. Victor Fingesi, not the National Chairman.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
