Suspension Of Atiku, Others: Indian Hemp Is At Work – Babachir Lawal

Fresh controversy has erupted within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State after a factional leader announced the suspension of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and the party’s transition committee chairman, Barr. Sadiq Ibrahim.

NaijaChoice News reports that the move, which came amid a lingering leadership tussle in the state chapter, has been dismissed as illegal and laughable by major stakeholders, exposing deep cracks in the party’s Adamawa structure.

Babachir Lawal, who serves as the ADC North East Zonal Chairman, did not mince words in his reaction. He described those behind the suspension as unserious elements not worthy of any attention and attributed the drama to the influence of drugs.

“If some people take heavy Indian hemp, they can claim to be President of Nigeria, so don’t consider them as normal people. Indian hemp is at duty,” Lawal said.

He further questioned the authority of the factional figure, adding, “Raji has no reasonable position in the ADC that empowered him to speak on behalf of the party.”

Lawal also criticised the action, saying, “Raji’s actions demonstrated the power of Indian hemp against our young men. What is his position in the party in Adamawa State, if not influence of drugs?”

The suspension was announced on Monday by Muh’d Raji Sulaiman Zumo, who claims to be the Adamawa State ADC chairman. Addressing journalists in Yola, Zumo declared Atiku, Lawal and others suspended for alleged anti-party activities. He insisted that no member, no matter how influential, is above the party’s constitution.

The announcement triggered immediate backlash. Adamawa ADC chairman, Shehu Yohanna, distanced the party from the claim and questioned Zumo’s standing in the first place.

“Raji was my deputy, before he disappeared to an unknown place, only for him to resurface on social media on Monday, suspending our father, Atiku Abubakar,” Yohanna stated.

The latest drama is not happening in isolation. NaijaChoice News gathered that the Adamawa ADC has been battling a serious leadership crisis for weeks. Shehu Yohanna had approached the court to stop planned congresses, alleging he and his executive were sidelined. Despite the court order, parallel activities went ahead, leading to competing claims over who controls the state structure.

Political watchers in Adamawa say the development further weakens the ADC at a time when opposition parties are trying to regroup ahead of future elections. Atiku Abubakar, a political heavyweight from the state, and Lawal, a major stakeholder in the North East, remain central figures in the party’s broader opposition alliance.

As at press time, neither Atiku nor the national leadership of the ADC has issued an official comment on the suspension saga. But Lawal’s strong rebuttal and Yohanna’s rejection have already rendered the faction’s announcement dead on arrival in the eyes of many party faithful.