The Katsina State Congress Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has disowned a purported state congress, labelling it as illegal and unconstitutional.
The committee Chairman, Atiku Abubakar-Saleh, said this in Katsina on Tuesday, while responding to questions from newsmen, regarding scheduled congresses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some members of the party in the state, earlier on Tuesday, conducted a congress.
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"Our committee was duly constituted by the party's National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct credible and transparent congresses across the state," he said.
Abubakar-Saleh, who is also the ADC Deputy National Organising Secretary, added that the congress in Katsina followed a recent judgment which gave the go-ahead to continue with preparations for the exercise.
"Therefore, the committee scheduled Wednesday for the ward and local government congresses, while the state congress will hold on Thursday," Abubakar-Saleh said.
He said the NWC also approved the composition of key committees, including a Screening Committee led by Dr Sulaiman Maiyawo, to ensure due process and strict adherence to the party's constitution.
Abubakar-Saleh stressed that the congress committee and the screening committee remained the only legally recognised bodies authorised to oversee congress activities in Katsina.
He warned that any gathering or exercise conducted outside the authority of the approved committees was "null, void and of no consequence."
The committee chairman further described such moves as attempts to undermine the party's unity and democratic process.
He called on party members, stakeholders and the public to refrain from participating in unauthorised activities, urging them instead to support the official process.
He also appealed to security agencies to remain vigilant and take necessary steps against individuals or groups attempting to disrupt public order under the guise of party congresses.
Abubakar-Saleh reaffirmed the committee's commitment to ensuring a peaceful, transparent and credible congress in line with the guidelines of the party's national leadership.
(NAN)
