The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has rejected reports that its National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, has been suspended over allegations of forgery, financial misconduct and interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Sani Dawop, said Sani remained the recognised national chairman. He described reports of his suspension as misleading and insisted that the party had not taken any constitutionally valid decision to remove him.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Dawop said Sani secured a fresh mandate at the ADP National Convention held on May 29 and 30, 2026.
He also disputed reports published by Vanguard and Blueprint newspapers on November 6, which claimed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had suspended the chairman.
According to Dawop, the publications linked Sani to allegations of forgery, unauthorised access to the INEC nomination portal, financial impropriety and anti-party activities.
However, he said the party’s national leadership rejected the reports and did not accept the allegations as an established institutional position.
Dawop maintained that no valid decision had suspended or removed Sani from office.
ADP Explains Who Faced Disciplinary Action
The publicity secretary further clarified that the emergency NWC meeting held on November 4, 2026, did not discuss the suspension of the national chairman.
Instead, he said the meeting focused on disciplinary issues involving the party’s National Secretary, Hon. Victor Fingesi.
Dawop explained that the committee reviewed Fingesi’s responses to previous queries, alleged acts of insubordination and his reported refusal to follow lawful directives from the party leadership.
The meeting also considered concerns that his conduct could affect party unity, discipline and institutional integrity.
According to the statement, members urged Fingesi to withdraw disputed remarks and apologise before the committee considered further action.
During the proceedings, Fatima Sani Muhammed, the National Special Duties Secretary and Acting Deputy National Secretary, reportedly moved a motion under Article 23.2(e) of the ADP Constitution 2026.
The motion requested Fingesi’s immediate interim suspension from the functions of National Secretary, an investigation into the disciplinary allegations and the submission of the decision to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for ratification.
Party Says Victor Fingesi Was Suspended
Dawop said Fingesi and the National Youth Leader, Ike Chinazam, attended the emergency meeting alongside other NWC members.
He added that their presence formed part of the quorum required for the committee to conduct its proceedings.
The motion reportedly received a second and approval from members at the meeting. Consequently, the interim suspension of Fingesi took effect on November 4.
The party’s spokesperson insisted that the disciplinary decision concerned the National Secretary and not Yabagi Sani.
He maintained that reports suggesting the NWC had suspended the national chairman misrepresented the outcome of the meeting.
The ADP leadership therefore reaffirmed Sani’s position as national chairman, while the disciplinary process involving Fingesi remains subject to further action by the party’s relevant organs.