ADC Leadership Crisis in Bauchi: Acting Chairman Announces Sack as Hassan Haruna Rejects Removal

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bauchi State has been thrown into a leadership crisis following the removal of the State Chairman, Mallam Hassan Haruna, by a faction of the party, a move he has strongly rejected as unconstitutional.

At a press briefing held on Tuesday at the NUJ Secretariat in Bauchi, the Acting Chairman, Alhaji Mahmood Hassan Tabla, announced that Haruna was removed over alleged anti-party activities and factionalisation of the party across ward and local government levels.

Tabla said chairmen of the party in the 20 Local Government Areas constituted a Disciplinary Committee which queried the former chairman for alleged violations of Article 15(A) of the ADC Constitution. 

He explained that Haruna failed to respond to the query, leading to his suspension and eventual removal after the expiration of the 14-day appeal window, in line with Articles 14(B), 15(B) and 15(D) of the party’s constitution.

According to him, a circular issued by ward and local government executives subsequently directed him, as deputy chairman, to assume office as Acting State Chairman, with effect from 10 February 2026, pending the resolution of the dispute or the conduct of a valid congress.

Tabla further disclosed that the Bauchi State High Court, in Suit No. BA/38/2026, issued an interim injunction on 4 February 2026, restraining Haruna and others from parading themselves as ADC executives, with the case adjourned to 19 February 2026.

However, reacting to the development, Mallam Hassan Haruna dismissed the action as unlawful, insisting that he remains the duly elected chairman of the party in Bauchi State.

Speaking  exclusively with our correspondent by telephone, Haruna argued that his alleged removal did not meet the constitutional requirements of the ADC.

“There is no way a few local government chairmen can just meet and claim they have removed a state chairman. Bauchi has 20 local government chairmen, and the constitution requires at least two-thirds before such a decision can be valid. Only six out of the 20 were involved,” he said.

Haruna maintained that he was elected at the national level and has not been lawfully removed, accusing the Tabla-led group of acting outside the party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

He further alleged that the opposing faction attempted to forcefully take over the party’s state office, a situation he said was reported to security agencies.

“They took the matter to court but instead of waiting for judgment, they tried to take the law into their hands. I instructed my supporters to remain calm and allow security agencies and the courts to handle the matter,” he stated.

Despite the tension, Haruna said he remains committed to peace and due process, urging party members to remain orderly as the court resolves the dispute.

The leadership tussle has deepened divisions within the Bauchi State chapter of the ADC as both factions await the outcome of the court proceedings scheduled for 19 February 2026.