ADC Youths exonerate Imam, Waziri of interference allegations in Bauchi crisis
By Ahmed Ahmed
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Youths Ambassadors Initiative (ANYA) has absolved Alhaji Kashim Imam and Adamu Maina Waziri of allegations of meddling in the internal crisis rocking the party’s Bauchi State chapter.
The clarification was made on Monday by the National Convener of ANYA, Ahmad Shehu Hassan Na Allah, at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Bauchi.
Na Allah, who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator of ANYA, Hashimu Hassan Pali, said both leaders acted in good faith and in the overall interest of unity and stability within the party.
The youth body’s position followed a petition reportedly endorsed by 18 members of the Bauchi State Executive Committee and other stakeholders.
The petition, addressed to the ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, accused Imam and Waziri of undue interference in the affairs of the state chapter and called on the national leadership to caution them.
Reacting to the claims, Na Allah described the allegations as misleading and unfounded.
He explained that the two leaders were mentioned in connection with the leadership dispute in Bauchi but insisted their involvement was purely aimed at fostering reconciliation.
He said the crisis deepened after the alleged announcement of the removal of Local Government Chairmen in all the 20 local government areas without formal letters, proper documentation, or clear directives from the National Working Committee.
“At that critical time, these respected leaders stepped in not to create division but to promote dialogue.
They convened meetings, listened to grievances from all sides, and advocated due process instead of unilateral decisions,” he said.
Na Allah maintained that their actions aligned with the principles of fair hearing as provided under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), stressing that no duly elected local government chairman should be removed without following laid-down procedures.
He further noted that Imam and Waziri, as key figures within the party’s North-East leadership structure, were within their rights to mediate in disputes affecting the region.
ANYA, however, alleged that those behind the accusations were themselves contributing to the crisis, naming Nazif Gamawa and Garba Dahri, also known as Salanke, as individuals allegedly disrupting the peace of the Bauchi chapter.
The group urged party members to remain calm and allow the national leadership to resolve the matter in line with party rules and constitutional provisions.
