News Rendezvous

A former governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Ishaya Inuwa Durkwa, has appealed to party members and stakeholders to put aside personal interests and unite behind the party’s governorship candidate, Ambassador Engineer Omar Suleiman Dokaji, ahead of the 2027 general elections.I

n a personally signed statement released while on furlough, Durkwa said the survival, stability and electoral success of the ADC should take precedence over individual ambitions and internal disagreements.

Durkwa recalled that he contested the party’s governorship primary and subsequently challenged the outcome in court because he believed the party failed to comply with its own rules and internal democratic processes. However, he explained that he later withdrew the suit after appeals from respected party leaders and out of his commitment to preserving the unity of the ADC.

According to him, his decision to discontinue the legal action was not because his convictions had changed, but because he became convinced that the future of the party was more important than his personal pursuit of justice.

The former aspirant also expressed concern over persistent rumours suggesting moves to replace the party’s governorship candidate, warning that such speculation was creating unnecessary tension and distracting the party from preparations for the 2027 elections.

He urged those involved in, or promoting, discussions about replacing the party’s flag bearer to reconsider their actions, stressing that any decision of such magnitude must only come through the party’s constitutional processes and with the knowledge and consent of the governorship candidate.”The ongoing rumours and counter-rumours about replacing our candidate are creating confusion, weakening confidence, and distracting us from the enormous task before us,” he said.

Durkwa noted that while other political parties were consolidating their structures and strengthening their campaigns, the ADC risked weakening itself through internal divisions. He called on members to prioritise reconciliation, strategic planning and grassroots mobilisation rather than engaging in fresh internal contests.Emphasising the need for unity, Durkwa urged party leaders, supporters and stakeholders to close ranks, restore trust and demonstrate the maturity expected of a political party seeking to govern Adamawa State.

He further advised that if circumstances eventually necessitate any major decision regarding the party’s governorship ticket, such action should be taken transparently, lawfully and through the appropriate organs of the party, with the full participation of its leadership and the candidate.

He concluded by calling on all members to reject actions capable of deepening divisions within the party and instead unite behind Ambassador Engineer Omar Suleiman Dokaji to strengthen the ADC’s chances of victory in the 2027 governorship election.

“Our greatest strength lies not in individual ambition but in our shared commitment to victory. United, we can heal, rebuild, and triumph together,” Durkwa stated.