ADC youth ambassadors clear Kashim Imam, Maina Waziri of Interference in Bauchi Crisis
By Ahmed Ahmed
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Youths Ambassadors Initiative (ANYA) has absolved two prominent party leaders, Alhaji Kashim Imam and Adamu Maina Waziri, of allegations of interference in the internal affairs of the party’s Bauchi State chapter.
The National Convener of ANYA, Ahmad Shehu Hassan Na Allah, made the clarification on Monday at a press conference held at the NUJ Secretariat in Bauchi.
Na Allah, who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator of ANYA, Hashimu Hassan Pali, said the two leaders acted in good faith and in the interest of peace and unity within the party.
The clarification follows a petition reportedly signed by 18 members of the Bauchi State Executive Committee and other critical stakeholders.
The petition, addressed to the ADC National Chairman, David Mark, accused Imam and Waziri of undue interference in the state chapter’s affairs and urged the national leadership to restrain them.
Responding to the allegations, Na Allah described the claims as misleading and lacking factual basis.
He stated that the names of Alhaji Kashim Imam and Adamu Maina Waziri were mentioned in connection with the ongoing leadership misunderstanding in Bauchi, but insisted that their actions were geared towards reconciliation rather than division.
According to him, tensions escalated following the alleged announcement of the removal of Local Government Chairmen across the 20 local government areas without formal letters, documented authorisation, or clear directives from the National Working Committee.
“At that critical moment, these respected leaders stepped forward not to divide but to reconcile. They convened meetings, listened to grievances from both sides, and insisted on due process over unilateral actions,” he said.
Na Allah added that their stance was consistent with the principles of fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He maintained that no duly elected Local Government Chairman should be removed without following established procedures.
He further noted that Imam and Waziri, as members of the party’s national leadership structure representing the North-East, were well within their rights to mediate in disputes within the region.
ANYA also alleged that those accusing the duo were the real instigators of the crisis, naming Nazif Gamawa and Garba Dahri, popularly known as Salanke, as individuals allegedly disrupting the peace of the Bauchi ADC chapter.
The youth body called on party members to remain calm and allow the national leadership to address the matter in accordance with party rules and constitutional provisions.
