ADC speaks on controversy over Atiku’s registration

By Nefishetu Yakubu

African Democratic Congress (ADC) had dismissed claim of controversy over the registration of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as a member of the party in Adamawa State.

ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi in Abuja said this in reaction to controversies that have trailed former registration of Atiku as member of the party.

Atiku’s registration as member of ADC was ridiculed by a faction of the party with claim that he did not register with a duly-constituted ward executives in Jada 1 Ward in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa.

The Director of Media and Public Affairs of a faction of the party, Christopher Okechukwu, in a statement, said that the former vice-president had not completed a valid membership registration with the party.

Okuchukwu had claimed that the process carried out at Jada 1 ward did not involve officials recognised by the national headquarters.

“This registration was conducted through individuals who are not recognized by the ADC’s National Headquarters and therefore lack the authority to register new members.

“We have consistently urged Mr Abubakar to complete his registration with the duly constituted and authentic party executives in his locality, a step he has yet to take,” he had said.

Abdullahi, however, dismissed the claim, insisting that the individual quoted in the report did not exist within records or its leadership organs.

He warned that amplifying such ‘unauthorised statements’ was capable of misleading the public and undermining confidence in institutions backed by the party’s NEC and INEC.

The ADC spokesman cautioned that attempts to weaken opposition parties threatened multiparty democracy, urging the media not to enable efforts that could push Nigeria towards one-party state.

“The person quoted in that report is unknown to the ADC at any level and does not exist within our structures, registers or leadership organs.

“The national leadership of the ADC is not in any doubt, and no one authorised to speak for the party has said anything close to what was reported.

“The publication of such unauthorised statements not only misleads the public but also brings the integrity of the media to question.

(NAN)