Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has affirmed Chief Emmanuel Amushie as the authentic Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imo State.

This confirmation comes amidst a leadership tussle within the party, with another faction led by Prof. James Okoroma claiming to be the legitimate leadership.

Amushie, who was recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated that his leadership was constitutionally constituted and legally valid. The ADC national leadership has also weighed in on the matter, with some officials backing Amushie’s claim.

Atiku Abubakar, who recently joined the ADC, has been working to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections. The party has been experiencing internal conflicts, with multiple factions vying for control.

This confirmation comes after a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, where ADC coalition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, and other prominent politicians, discussed the party’s leadership and strategy.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

The dissolution, announced on Thursday, takes immediate effect.

All commissioners and special advisers have been directed to hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries.

Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to the outgoing members of the Executive Council for their service and wished them success in their future endeavours.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi.

Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is unlikely to present former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.

He made this known on Thursday through a post on X while reacting to a social media user who claimed that the party would suffer a heavy defeat if Atiku emerged as its flag bearer.

In his response, Bashir dismissed the idea that Atiku would be the party’s candidate.

He stated that the former vice president should instead take on the role of a senior political figure who guides others during what he described as a serious turning point in the nation’s history.

According to him, Atiku is better suited to act as a statesman and political mentor at this stage rather than contest again for the presidency.

Bashir further shared his preferred strategy for the 2027 race.

He said he would back a well-known and widely accepted candidate from the South-East, paired with a strong and respected political figure from the North.

He argued that such a combination would be difficult for rival parties to defeat.

“It won’t be Atiku. I believe Atiku should be the statesman and the Godfather of this historic changing precipice of our nation”, Bashir El-Rufai stated.