Zamfara ADC Grapples With Internal Strife Ahead of 2027 Elections

With the 2027 general elections drawing near, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Zamfara State finds itself in a profound internal crisis, threatening to derail its political aspirations. What began as a dispute over leadership and party control has escalated into a complex web of parallel factions, significant defections, and ongoing court battles, leaving the party fragmented and politically vulnerable. This internal turmoil significantly weakens the ADC's potential to make a meaningful impact at the polls, instead of allowing it to consolidate its grassroots structures and position itself as a formidable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the core of the crisis is a contentious dispute over the authentic leadership of the party in Zamfara State, effectively creating a scenario of 'Two Chairmen, One Party'. One faction is helmed by Hon. Kabiru Garba, who steadfastly asserts his position as the duly recognized state chairman. Conversely, Comrade Anas Haidara Kaura leads another faction, claiming legitimacy by aligning with the national leadership under Senator David Mark. This leadership impasse has crippled essential party activities, including preparations for primaries, membership mobilization, and other vital electoral processes. Consequently, ward and local government executives remain uncertain about which directives to follow, further exacerbating the disarray. While the Anas faction issued a statement on September 1, disassociating the party from a Federal High Court suit in Gusau and reaffirming loyalty to the national leadership and INEC-published candidates, the Kabiru Garba faction countered on September 2, citing Federal High Court judgments from April 29, 2026, and subsequent Court of Appeal rulings that it claims affirm its legitimacy.

The crisis has also fueled widespread 'Candidate Imposition and Defections' from the party. Allegations of irregularities in the distribution of party tickets ahead of the 2027 primaries have prompted numerous aspirants and supporters to defect to rival parties such as the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Jibril Lauwali, a party loyalist from Zurmi Local Government Area, specifically alleged that tickets for crucial positions, including the Gusau Federal Constituency and several State House of Assembly seats, were 'allocated' even before delegates' congresses. Garba Idris, a chieftain in Maru LGA, lamented that this development is causing the party to lose some of its most potent mobilizers and financiers even before the campaign officially commences.

Adding to its woes, the ADC faces a 'Weak Grassroots Structure' across Zamfara State. While the APC diligently strengthens its structures through ward-level meetings and continuous political activities, the ADC's engagement appears predominantly confined to social media platforms and statements issued from Abuja, as noted by party sources and political observers. Many local government areas reportedly lack functioning party offices, and its youth and women's wings remain notably weak. A Gusau-based political analyst warned that the absence of a robust polling-unit structure could severely hinder the party on election day, emphasizing that 'You cannot protect votes you did not organise to secure.' Unlike the APC, which benefits from significant political structures and resources at federal and state levels, the ADC heavily relies on the personal resources of its aspirants and supporters. Moreover, the party has made little progress in forming alliances with other opposition parties, risking a split in opposition votes. As a result, its campaign activities are severely limited, with minimal billboards, sustained radio campaigns, or major rallies outside the Gusau metropolis.

Perhaps more critically, the ADC is grappling with a 'Policy Vacuum', lacking a clearly defined, Zamfara-specific policy agenda for the upcoming election. Although the party has criticized the government on issues like insecurity and other governance failings, it has yet to articulate concrete alternative solutions in crucial sectors such as security, agriculture, education, healthcare, and youth employment. Uzairu Sabiu, a voter in Talata Mafara, expressed the public's desire for 'concrete solutions rather than criticism of the government.' While acknowledging the party possesses capable individuals, Sabiu stressed that political strength hinges on organization, noting, 'ADC has good people, but good people without organisation will lose to an organised average team. Right now, ADC is fighting itself more than it is fighting for votes.' He concluded with a poignant observation: 'Until ADC settles its house, it cannot bite the APC. You cannot go to war with a divided army.'

Stakeholders within the party have identified 'Five Steps To Survival' that they believe are crucial for the ADC to reposition itself before the 2027 elections. These include the emergence of a single state executive recognized by the national leadership, INEC, and the courts; aggressive grassroots mobilization across the state’s 147 wards; transparent party primaries to prevent further defections; the development of a comprehensive Zamfara-specific policy document; and proactive talks with other opposition parties to avoid splitting opposition votes. With time rapidly dwindling, the ADC faces the grim prospect of entering the 2027 elections as a fragmented, poorly funded entity, lacking the essential grassroots structure needed to compete effectively. The leadership dispute remains entangled in the courts, with rival factions steadfastly insisting on the legitimacy of their respective positions. Ultimately, whether the ADC can resolve its deep-seated internal crisis and emerge as a serious contender in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 elections remains highly uncertain.