The Katsina State Congress Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has disowned a purported state congress held in the state, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.
Chairman of the committee, Atiku Abubakar-Saleh, made the position known on Tuesday while responding to questions from journalists in Katsina.
The development followed the conduct of a parallel congress earlier in the day by some members of the party.
Abubakar-Saleh said the committee was duly constituted by the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, to conduct credible and transparent congresses across the state.
He noted that preparations for the congresses were in line with a recent court judgment which cleared the way for the exercise to proceed.
According to him, ward and local government congresses have been scheduled for Wednesday, while the state congress is expected to hold on Thursday.
The committee chairman added that the NWC had also approved the composition of key committees, including a screening committee headed by Dr Sulaiman Maiyawo, to ensure due process and compliance with the party’s constitution.
He stressed that only the congress committee and the screening committee are legally recognised to oversee the exercise in the state.
Abubakar-Saleh warned that any congress conducted outside the authority of the approved committees remains null, void and of no effect, describing such actions as attempts to undermine the party’s unity and democratic process.
He urged party members and stakeholders to disregard unauthorised activities and support the official process.
The ADC chieftain also called on security agencies to remain vigilant and prevent any actions capable of disrupting public order during the congress period.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to conducting a peaceful, transparent and credible exercise in line with the party’s guidelines.
