When the African Democratic Congress (ADC) began its aggressive mobilization in Sokoto State last year, it was touted as the “Third Force” that would disrupt the traditional PDP-APC hegemony. At the heart of this movement were two political titans: former Governor (now Senator) Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Senator Abubakar Umar Gada.
However, less than two years before the 2027 general elections, that “Third Force” appears to be crumbling under the weight of indecision. The exit of Senator Gada on Saturday, as he declared his intention to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has pulled back the curtain on a deepening crisis within the ADC—a crisis many insiders attribute to the “lack of commitment” from its supposed helmsman, Aminu Tambuwal.
The Leadership Paradox
For Senator Gada, the decision to dump the ADC was not merely a change of heart but a reaction to a leadership vacuum. According to Gada, while he and Tambuwal were projected as the twin pillars of the party in Sokoto, the former Governor remained a “ghost leader”—present in influence but absent in action.
“Leadership means responsibility,” Gada told a crowd of supporters on Saturday. “We raised the hope and tempo of the ADC for months, but Senator Tambuwal refused to come and sit down with us to build the party.”
The allegation is heavy: that Tambuwal enjoyed the optics of being a party leader while refusing to formally identify with its structure or participate in the grueling work of grassroots mobilization. This “sit-on-the-fence” approach has left the ADC “stranded,” according to Gada, turning a promising political vehicle into a stationary one.
The ‘Double-Dealing’ Allegations
Perhaps more damaging than the lack of internal participation are the allegations of political double-dealing. Gada’s departure speech highlighted a growing frustration with Tambuwal’s reported consultations across the political spectrum.
In political circles, whispers have been loud: Is Tambuwal returning to the APC? Is he being positioned as a vice-presidential running mate for Peter Obi? These questions, Gada argues, have made it impossible to build a coherent opposition in Sokoto.
“You cannot be consulting with the APC on one hand, being positioned as a possible vice-presidential option for Peter Obi on the other, and still refuse to register yourself or your supporters,” Gada stated. “That level of contradiction cannot drive progress.”
For the ADC faithful, this lack of clarity has been demoralizing. While other parties are solidifying their bases, the ADC in Sokoto has been caught in a web of “wait-and-see” politics, orchestrated by a leader who seems to be keeping all his doors open at the expense of his current house.
The Grassroots Ripple Effect
Despite the high-level friction, Gada’s move back to the PDP has triggered significant movement at the grassroots. Supporters like Alhaji Hamza Maiturari Yabo and Alhaji Hamza Gatawa have described Gada’s return to the “Umbrella” as a strategic necessity to reclaim the state.
Women mobilizers, led by Hajia Mariam Kabi, have already begun calling for Gada to eye the governorship, citing his long-standing ties with local communities. Yet, this enthusiasm faces a major hurdle: the very party Gada claims to be rejoining.
The PDP Twist: A Man Without a Country?
In a surprising turn of events that complicates the narrative, the Sokoto State PDP has reacted to Gada’s “homecoming” with cold indifference. The State Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sahabi Sayinnawal, dropped a bombshell shortly after Gada’s announcement, claiming the party has no record of him.
“He is not in our register at the ward, local government, state, or even national level,” Sayinnawal said, insisting that the PDP is unaware of his intention to return.
This rebuttal suggests that Gada’s exit from the ADC might be more of a desperate leap than a calculated landing. It also highlights the chaotic state of opposition politics in Sokoto, where allegiances are fluid and trust is a scarce commodity.
The Verdict
The fallout between Gada and Tambuwal is a cautionary tale of “Third Force” politics in Nigeria. Without a committed, singular focus from its leaders, alternative parties often become mere waiting rooms for politicians looking for their next big move.
As it stands, the ADC in Sokoto is bleeding. Whether Senator Tambuwal will eventually “show his face” and steady the ship, or whether he is indeed preparing for another leap himself, remains the biggest question in Sokoto politics. For now, the “Third Force” is looking increasingly like a “No Force,” leaving the 2027 race wide open and more unpredictable than ever.
