- Safiu Kehinde
The chairman African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sokoto state chapter, Alhaji Bello Isiyaku-Keegan, has denied the membership of a former lawmaker of the state, Sen. Abubakar Gada, with the party, saying he was never their member.
NPO Reported that Gada had yesterday announced his defection from the ADC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ex-lawmaker who represented Sokoto East Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011 under the PDP, claimed to have played a crucial role in the formation of the ADC coalition.
He however said his decision to leave the party was driven by the need to “reclaim and rebuild” the PDP in the state.
Reacting to the claim while addressing newsmen on Monday, Isiyaku-Keegan held that Gada never registered with the party.
He emphasised that membership of a political party was a formal and verifiable process involving registration and documentation through official records.
The ADC Chieftain explained that Gada, who represented Sokoto East Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the PDP had never completed nor appeared in any ADC register at any level.
Isiyaku-Keegan further explained that the ADC found it disturbing for a politician of Gada’s calibre who at one point was a representative of the people of Sokoto at the National Assembly, would make such false claims.
“The ADC found it regrettable, curious that such false claim was made and circulated in the public domain.
“It’s also regrettable and unfortunate that a politician of Gada’s status would publish such claim in spite of the fact that fully aware he did not register with ADC,” the chairman stated
He clarified that neither Sen. Aminu Tambuwal nor Gada had registered with ADC, saying, ” therefore, it is unbecoming of Gada to make such a statement.”
Isiyaku-Keegan said that the ADC viewed the statement as unfortunate and an example of careless political communication which does not align with the principles of honestly, accountability and respect for the electorates.
He said the ADC remained focused on its core objectives of building a credible political platform anchored on integrity, inclusiveness, internal democracy and people-oriented governance.