The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Katsina and Zamfara states, citing escalating violence that has claimed over 140 lives in the past two months.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Monday, the party said the spate of killings in the two states reflected a total breakdown of Nigeria’s security system and condemned the federal government’s handling of the crisis.
ADC particularly decried the recent attack in Malumfashi, Katsina State, where gunmen killed 30 worshippers in a mosque and set fire to homes, burning 20 residents alive. The party also referenced the killing of 47 people in Zamfara State, including 38 victims reportedly executed despite ransom payments.
“This evil act epitomises the horrors that Nigerians have been forced to endure under this administration. It is also damning proof of the collapse of our national security, prompting even the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to urge citizens to learn self-defence,” the statement read.
The party accused President Tinubu of neglecting urgent domestic security issues in favour of foreign trips and photo opportunities, while also criticising governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for holding a political meeting in Zamfara shortly after the killings.
“Rather than standing in solidarity with their grieving colleague and community, they staged a political rally in a town still reeling from mass murder. Their ceremonial posturing and smiling photo ops are deeply insensitive,” ADC said.
Beyond its demand for a state of emergency, ADC called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s internal security architecture, warning that the CDS’s advice for citizens to defend themselves underscored the system’s failure.
The party further accused both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP of prioritising politics over the welfare of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, ADC’s factional leadership under Nafiu Bala dismissed as fake a resignation letter allegedly linked to him.
In a counter-statement signed by Dr. Christopher Okechukwu, Director of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the National Chairman, the group described the document dated May 18, 2025, as fraudulent and lacking the party’s official insignia.
“The ADC emphatically denies the authenticity of a resignation letter purportedly authored by Hon. Nafiu Bala. This document is entirely fabricated, fraudulent, and maliciously circulated by certain mischievous elements within and outside our party seeking to undermine the ADC’s constitutional leadership and sow discord,” the statement read.
The group reaffirmed Bala’s position as Acting National Chairman, insisting he had not resigned or relinquished his role in the party.
“The fraudulent document represents a desperate attempt to create confusion and destabilise the party’s operations,” it added.
