The African Democratic Congress in Buji Local Government Area of Jigawa State has suspended a member of its National Working Committee, Aliyu Gantsa, for 12 months over alleged anti-party activities.
The suspension, which took effect on October 19, 2026, is scheduled to end on October 19, 2027, according to a statement issued by party officials in Dutse on Monday.
The statement was signed by Ahmad Garba, Polling Unit Chairman of Primary School, Gantsa Fada Yamma; Nasiru Garba Dan Halima, Gantsa Ward Chairman; and Isyaku Muhammad Lelenkudu, the party’s chairman in Buji Local Government Area.
The officials said the decision followed concerns about party discipline, internal cohesion and adherence to established procedures.
They stated that the suspension had received approval from the ADC Ward Executive Committee on October 5 and the Local Government Working Committee on October 16.
According to the statement, Gantsa was accused of engaging in activities considered detrimental to the party’s interests and reputation.
The officials alleged that he publicly declared support for an aspirant who lost the party’s primary election, an action they said undermined the party’s officially nominated candidates.
The statement said the alleged conduct was “bringing the name, integrity and public standing of the African Democratic Congress into serious disrepute.”
During the suspension, Gantsa was barred from attending or participating in ADC meetings, caucuses, rallies and other official gatherings at the polling unit, ward, local government, state and national levels.
He was also prohibited from exercising rights, duties and privileges associated with his party membership and any office he held within the organisation.
However, the party officials said he could challenge the decision by submitting a written appeal to the Ward Executive Committee or Local Government Executive Committee within 14 days of receiving the suspension notice.
They urged party members to remain calm, respect the decision and avoid actions capable of creating tension within the organisation.
Reacting to the development, Gantsa rejected the suspension, describing it as unconstitutional and without legal effect.
In a telephone interview with PUNCH Online on Monday evening, he argued that the ward executive lacked the authority to suspend a member of the party’s National Working Committee.
“I am a member of the National Working Committee of the ADC. The ward executive has no basis and no ground whatsoever to suspend me. Their action is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect,” he said.
Gantsa accused the state leadership of orchestrating the action to suppress opposition within the party, alleging that officials were uncomfortable with his growing influence.
“This is the handiwork of the state leadership who are afraid of my growing influence. They are using the polling unit and ward to do what they cannot do themselves,” he alleged.
Despite the suspension, he maintained that he remained a committed member of the ADC and would continue working for the party.
“I remain a committed and loyal member of the ADC. No amount of intimidation will make me abandon the party I laboured to build. I will seek redress through the appropriate party organs,” he said.
