Bauchi ADC Crisis: ANYA Clears Imam, Waziri of Interference Allegations

Feom.Paul Orude, Bauchi

African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Youth Ambassadors Initiative (ANYA) has exonerated two national officials of the party, Alhaji Kashim Imam and Adamu Maina Waziri, from allegations of interference in the internal crisis affecting the Bauchi State chapter of the ADC.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Bauchi, the National Convener of ANYA, Ahmad Shehu Hassan Na Allah, said the clarification became necessary following petitions and allegations circulating within the party.

He was represented at the briefing by Hashimu Hassan Pali, the Zonal Coordinator of ANYA.

Recall that stakeholders had earlier petitioned the National Chairman of the party, David Mark, alleging undue interference by Imam and Waziri, who hail from Borno and Yobe States respectively.

The petition, reportedly signed by 18 party stakeholders, urged the national leadership to restrain the duo from meddling in the affairs of the Bauchi State chapter.

The young heouninsised that internal disputes could be resolved by the state and zonal leadership structures.

Addressing the allegations, Na Allah described them as attempts to misrepresent the actions of respected party leaders.

“Our position is clear, measured, and firmly grounded in facts,” he stated.

“The names of Alhaji Kashim Imam and Adamu Maina Waziri have been mentioned in connection with the leadership misunderstanding in the Bauchi State chapter of the ADC.

“We categorically state that both individuals acted in the interest of peace, unity, and institutional stability.”

He explained that the duo intervened at a time of rising tension following the alleged announcement of the removal of Local Government Chairmen across the 20 local government areas of the state without formal letters, documented authorization, or directives from the party’s National Working Committee.

“They stepped in not to divide the party, but to reconcile aggrieved members.

They convened meetings, listened to grievances from all sides, and insisted on due process rather than unilateral actions.

“Their position was simple and lawful: no duly elected Local Government Chairman should be removed without following proper procedures,” he said..

Na Allah added that their actions aligned with the principles of fair hearing as provided under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as the principle of lawful expectation.

According to him, Kashim Imam and Adamu Maina Waziri are members of the party’s national leadership representing the North-East zone, which gives them the responsibility to intervene and mediate in disputes affecting the party within the region.

He further noted that since the formation of the ADC, Kashim Imam has consistently supported the party and its members across the North-East and beyond, working to promote peace, unity, and harmony. “Ironically, some of those opposing him today were beneficiaries of his goodwill in recent months,” he added.

Na Allah disclosed that the leadership structure at the local government level should remain intact, as earlier directed to the National Chairman, David Mark, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

He concluded by stating that both Kashim Imam and Adamu Maina Waziri acted with the knowledge and permission of the ADC national leadership, while alleging that the real sources of disruption within the Bauchi State chapter were Nazif Gamawa and Garba Dahri, popularly known as Salanke.