The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has moved to dispel reports suggesting that Senator Nenadi Usman and Hon. Bashir Saidu have assumed leadership of the party in the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party reaffirmed Elder Patrick Ambut as the duly recognised state chairman, describing circulating claims to the contrary as “false, misleading, and mischievous.”

While acknowledging that Senator Usman and Hon. Saidu currently lead a broader coalition of opposition forces in Kaduna, the ADC stressed that their appointments by the coalition do not translate into leadership positions within the party itself.

According to the statement, the duo were recently named Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Coalition Partners — a body comprising various political parties, civic groups, and stakeholders united in opposition to what they termed “the hardship and maladministration of the rudderless APC government.”

“The ADC, as a political party, maintains its duly elected leadership structure, which remains intact and unaffected by the appointments made by the coalition partners,” the statement read.

The party clarified that the coalition’s internal arrangements were strictly for operational coordination among its members and did not interfere with the ADC’s internal hierarchy. “These appointments are entirely separate and distinct from the leadership structure of the ADC in Kaduna State,” it emphasised. “The elected State Executive Committee remains in full charge of the party’s affairs and operations within the state.”

Defending Senator Usman’s coalition role, the ADC noted that her appointment aligned with her wider involvement as Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) and reflected the ongoing opposition collaboration aimed at “rescuing Nigerians from the grip of the APC.”

“It is well known that the Labour Party leadership, stakeholders, and even its 2023 presidential candidate have been active participants in this collective rescue mission,” the party added.

The ADC said the clarification became necessary following media reports alleging that Senator Usman had defected to the party—claims it dismissed as “entirely false.”

By delineating party structures from coalition dynamics, the ADC appears intent on preserving its institutional autonomy while reaffirming its commitment to broader opposition unity in the build-up to future political contests in Kaduna State.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party has passed a vote of confidence in Senator Nenadi Usman, as disclosed in a statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser (Media) to the Interim National Chairman of the party, Ken Eluma Asogwa. The move solidified her position in the opposition party, which had a good run in the 2023 general elections.