…several ADC members now accuse the former governor of sacrificing the interests of loyalists through political proxies.
KADUNA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| A deepening crisis has engulfed the Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as loyalists of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai accuse him of abandoning the political structure that stood firmly behind him for years.
What initially began as disagreements over the party’s governorship and legislative primaries has now escalated into a major internal revolt, with aggrieved members of the El-Rufai camp alleging that their loyalty, sacrifices, and political risks were traded away through backdoor negotiations and proxy arrangements.
The crisis intensified after Isa Ashiru Kudan emerged as the ADC governorship candidate in a process strongly disputed by several aspirants and party stakeholders.
One of the leading governorship aspirants, Ja’afaru Sani, widely regarded as a close ally of El-Rufai, openly rejected the outcome of the primary election, describing the exercise as fraudulent and warning that he could leave the party if justice was not served.
His rejection triggered broader protests among legislative aspirants and political loyalists within the former governor’s camp.
A coalition led by Samaila Makarfi subsequently denounced the primaries as a “sham,” alleging widespread irregularities, manipulation, and deliberate attempts to sideline certain interests within the party.
Beyond the disputed results, many aggrieved members insist the deeper issue is a growing belief that El-Rufai quietly withdrew support from allies who defended him politically, legally, and personally during some of his most challenging moments.
Several Party members now accuse the former governor of sacrificing the interests of loyalists through political proxies while allegedly failing to stand by key allies facing political and legal troubles.
Sources within the faction claimed many supporters now feel politically abandoned, arguing that individuals who risked their reputation, freedom, and resources in loyalty to El-Rufai have been left exposed.
The resentment is said to be particularly intense over the situation involving Ja’afaru Sani, who is reportedly under investigation by anti-graft agencies, and former Chief of Staff Bashir Saidu, who is currently being held at the Kaduna Correctional Facility.
According to insiders, many within the camp expected El-Rufai to firmly defend such loyalists. Instead, they now believe political calculations and personal interests took precedence over loyalty and collective struggle.
Tensions further escalated following allegations that political emissaries linked to El-Rufai quietly influenced the governorship process in favour of Isa Ashiru despite public claims of neutrality.
Although El-Rufai’s wife, Asiya El-Rufai, reportedly met with some aspirants to assure them that her husband was not backing any candidate, the move reportedly failed to calm growing tensions.
Many loyalists argued that the neutrality message contradicted political realities on the ground, insisting that the final outcome reflected a carefully negotiated arrangement designed to sideline longstanding allies.
Some stakeholders have also accused the former governor of focusing more attention on the political future of his son, Bello El-Rufai, while core loyalists who helped build and defend his political structure were allegedly left without support or protection.
The internal divisions have been worsened by El-Rufai’s reported inability to directly manage the growing crisis due to his ongoing detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), a development many believe has created a leadership vacuum now being exploited by competing interests and proxy power blocs.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna ADC leadership remains sharply divided. Prior to the primaries, the party publicly disowned an alleged unauthorised “ADC Transition Committee” meeting linked to El-Rufai associates, an event that reportedly degenerated into violence and gunfire and is currently under police investigation.
With governorship and legislative aspirants rejecting the primaries, accusations of betrayal dominating internal discussions, and trust within the El-Rufai camp rapidly eroding, political observers warn that the Kaduna ADC may be heading toward a major split ahead of the 2027 general elections.
