How Abdullahi Adamu Caused Own Fall . . . His Many Sins

Ganiyu Obaaro

Last Sunday, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu resigned as National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC. His resignation, in Abuja, as  it was speculated by analysts, came on the heels of several infractions and allegations against the former governor of Nasarawa state, North Central Nigeria.

Adamu had had sleepless nights over several issues affecting the running of his office. His resignation, may after all, be an escape route for him to rest his brain. However, the highly combative Adamu, was not alone in the resignation drama on that day. His National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, also resigned his position.

Adamu was said to have sent his resignation to President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Hon Femi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, for onward delivery to the President. Tinubu was then away to Nairobi, Kenya, for a meeting of the African Union, which took place in the East African country.

While announcing the resignation of these principal officers to the members of the National Working Committee, who were immediately summoned to an emergency meeting, the Deputy National Chairman of the party,(North), Senator Abdullahi Kyari, announced that he, along with the Deputy National Secretary, Barrister Festus Fuanter, from Plateau state, would run the affairs of the party pending the appointment of substantive helmsmen to replace them.

It was gathered that no fewer than 17 members of the NWC attended the meeting. Kyari said he summoned the meeting in line with their constitution, which had made provisions, among others, for such actions to be taken when the need arises.

Members of the NWC of the party include, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Chairman ; Abubakar Kyari, Deputy National Chairman,(North); Emma Enenku, Deputy National Chairman, (South); National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore(Osun state); Deputy National Secretary, Barrister Festus Fuanta, ( Plateau); National Vice Chairman, (North Central), Muhazu Rijau, National Vice Chairman, (North East), Mustapga Salihu; National Vice Chairman, (South South),  Victor Gidom; National Vice Chairman, (South West), Isaac Kekemeke; National Vice Chairman, ( South East),  Ijeoma Arodiogbu, among other principal officers of the party.

How Adamu stepped on powerful toes

No doubt, Adamu’s travails before quitting his exalted position as the chairman, were said to be self-inflicted. He, it was gathered, had worked against Tinubu in the wake of the campaigns and primaries to choose the party’s presidential candidate, which Tinubu eventually won.

Tinubu had defeated the former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; ex-Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and others, to emerge as the APC candidate. The development was said to have angered Tinubu’s camp, who continued to hold the grudge against the ex- PDP governor of Nasarawa state.

Adamu left the PDP, which he helped nurture for years, following the encouragement he received from President Muhammadu Buhari to join APC. The ex- APC chairman was also accused of bringing through the ‘back door’, former President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, to upstage Tinubu, as the presidential candidate of their party.

That effort failed woefully for both Adamu and Lawan, as Tinubu, who was said to be more prepared for the race, eventually won it. Tinubu received substantial support from some North West governors, including Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, (Kano) and El Rufai, (Kaduna). He also received huge support in the South west, his biggest stronghold, and other geo-political zones in the country, far above his opponents.

Again, Adamu was alleged to have grumbled over the appointments of the principal.officers announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, but was rebuffed by the party and Tinubu, who both endorsed the officers’ appointments. Akpabio had said upon announcing these appointments that, “The APC caucus of the Senate, after due consultations, has emerged with their leadership., which will be the fulcrum of commencing other businesses of the (Red) Chamber.” The officers were however, sworn-into their various positions, thereafter.

Akpabio had appointed Senators Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), as the majority leader; David Umahi, ( Ebonyi South), Deputy Majority leader, among others, at the Senate’s plenary.

Audit Report

But the way and manner Adamu and Omisore were said to have handled the Audit Report of the NWC created more tension within the committee.

The chairman was said to have run a one-man show in this direction, by ‘shielding’ the committee’s report from proper scrutiny of the report by the members. The NWC had alleged that both Adamu and his comrade, Omisore had spent billions of naira belonging to the party; and did not give proper explanation of their spendings.

Impeachment moves

It was learnt that based on these perceived errors on the part of the duo, some loyalists of Tinubu were already “collaring” signatures to impeach Adamu. His resignation, however, saved him from imminent disgrace from office.

But Adamu seemed prepared for what befell him. He had said that he has seen it all in politics and governance; and as such, he was prepared to quit if the seat became too hot for him. Adamu had reportedly boasted that, “What is in politics that I have not achieved?”

Meanwhile, analysts have urged the APC to grab the current development in the party to reorganise itself. According to Adamu Lawal, the actions taken by Adamu and Omisore might have saved it from implosion.

He urged Tinubu, who is the leader of the party, to swing into action and reposition it for effective operations.