Kwara ADC, ex-spokesman trade words over resignation

The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress and its former Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Basambo, have traded words over his resignation, with the party alleging that he quit to evade disciplinary proceedings, while the former spokesman insisted that he resigned voluntarily over alleged leadership failures and lack of internal democracy.

Basambo announced his resignation in a letter dated October 23, 2026, addressed to the state chairman through the ward chairman of Magaji Are 1 and the chairman of the Ilorin East Local Government Area chapter.

In the letter titled ‘Letter of Resignation from ADC’, the former spokesman accused some party leaders and members of the state executive committee of hypocrisy, dishonesty and double standards, saying the direction of the party in Kwara had become difficult for him to accept.

“This decision was not taken lightly. After deep reflection, I can no longer cope with the direction the party is going in the state. There is so much hypocrisy, lies, and double standards amongst some party leaders and State Excos who parade themselves as loyal leaders,” he wrote.

However, the state ADC Secretary, Ibrahim Alege, in a statement issued on Sunday, said Basambo’s resignation did not surprise committed party members and stakeholders, adding that concerns about his conduct and commitment to the party’s ideals had prompted the leadership and Council of Elders to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

“For some time, concerns had been raised regarding Mr Basambo’s conduct and commitment to the ideals of the party. These concerns prompted the party’s leadership and Council of Elders to initiate established internal disciplinary procedures. Rather than allow that process to run its course, he chose to resign,” Alege said.

The party secretary described the resignation as a personal decision, insisting that it should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness within the ADC.

“No individual is greater than the party, and every member is expected to uphold its constitution and principles without compromise,” he said.

Alege maintained that the party remained committed to accountability and would not sacrifice its values for personal interests or political convenience.

But Basambo, responding to the party’s position, in a statement made available to PUNCH Online in Ilorin on Sunday, denied resigning to avoid disciplinary action, alleging that he was neither formally notified of any allegations against him nor given an opportunity to defend himself.

“Let me state it unequivocally: I resigned voluntarily and on principle. I did not resign to evade any process. No formal allegation was ever served on me in writing, and I was never given a fair hearing to respond”, he said.

The former spokesman also questioned the composition of the proposed disciplinary panel, alleging that it included individuals whose conduct he had previously challenged.

“You cannot be a judge in your own case. I cannot face a panel populated by the very persons whose anti-party activities and impunity I challenged,” he said.

Basambo further accused the party’s leadership of failing to build an effective political structure in the state, describing the ADC in Kwara as “structurally comatose”.

He challenged the party to demonstrate its public engagement and campaign activities, alleging that it lacked visible publicity and adequate facilities for its operations.

“Show me one billboard of the ADC in Kwara. Show me one radio program sponsored by the party to sensitise the public. There is none — except for the personal efforts of a few serious-minded candidates, particularly in Kwara South and one Senatorial candidate from the North,” he said.

He also alleged that the party’s state secretariat was uninhabitable and questioned the absence of campaign offices for its candidates.

Basambo claimed that some members of the Council of Elders had taken control of the party’s affairs and were engaging with other political parties without accountability.

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“The party has been hijacked. The elders not only meet and negotiate with other political parties daily, they act with total impunity,” he alleged.

He further accused some influential members of sidelining the state executive and undermining the authority of the state chairman.

“The State Executive is not functioning. The State Chairman has been rendered powerless. A few individuals — acting as untouchable superpowers — have privatised the party,” he said.

The former spokesman also alleged that a candidate who won the party’s House of Assembly primary in Oyun Local Government Area had been removed and replaced at the discretion of some party leaders.

He did not provide further details to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged replacement.

Basambo had also criticised the ADC governorship candidate, Zakari Mohammed, in his resignation letter, alleging that the candidate’s arrogance, alongside the conduct of some party members, contributed to his decision to leave.

He warned that the alleged internal problems could undermine the party’s growth if not addressed.

“If this situation does not change, it will surely bring the party down. This party cannot grow with hungry and hypocritical people parading themselves as leaders,” he wrote.

The former spokesman, who described himself as a former Labour Party governorship candidate, said his experience in politics had shaped his assessment of the ADC’s structure and leadership in Kwara.

“As a former LP Gubernatorial candidate and former State PRO, I know what a serious party looks like. This is not it,” he said.

He also defended his meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Bolakale Kawu, saying it was not intended to undermine the ADC.

“For the purpose of clarity and to exonerate myself from any anti-party allegation, my meeting with Mallam Bolakale Kawu was purely an act of brotherhood and that of a committed member trying to canvas for the party,” he had stated in his resignation letter.

Basambo, however, alleged that some ADC leaders had engaged in similar activities behind the scenes, without providing details of the individuals or meetings he was referring to.

Despite his criticism of the party, he expressed appreciation for his political leader, Abubakar Kannike, whom he described as a man of honour and sincerity, saying his respect for him would remain despite his departure.

The former spokesman confirmed that his resignation took immediate effect, adding that he had no regrets about his decision and intended to preserve his political integrity.

Meanwhile, Alege said the ADC remained focused on building what he described as a credible political alternative for the people of Kwara State and Nigeria.

“Our mission is to provide transparent, people-oriented leadership driven by honesty, competence, and service,” the party secretary said.

He urged the public to continue supporting the party, insisting that it remained united and committed to delivering what he called the leadership Kwarans deserved.