From Tom Garba, Yola
A founding member and staunch loyalist of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Suleiman Adamu Jimeta, has strongly dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the party has replaced its governorship candidate, Omar Suleiman, with Alhaji Tukur Modibbo, describing the development as false and potentially damaging to the party’s future.
Jimeta, in a statement made available to TGNews, said the rumoured replacement of Omar Suleiman, popularly known as Omarana, would trigger widespread dissatisfaction among party supporters and could plunge the ADC into a crisis ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The report, which has been making the rounds online, alleged that the Adamawa ADC had substituted Omar Suleiman with Tukur Modibbo as its governorship candidate. It further claimed that the decision had been welcomed by some party stakeholders, including a congratulatory message reportedly attributed to party chieftain Musa Halilu OFR, who was quoted as describing Modibbo as a better choice because of his loyalty, courage, and commitment to the party and the state.
However, Jimeta rejected the claims outright, insisting that no such decision had been communicated through the appropriate party structures.
According to him, Omar Suleiman remains the party’s legitimate candidate and has worked tirelessly to earn the confidence and support of ADC members across the state.
“This decision, which I strongly believe is false, will sink the ADC in Adamawa State if allowed to happen,” Jimeta said. “Who knows Modibbo in ADC or even across Adamawa the way Omarana is known? This kind of injustice will create serious problems for the party.”
He argued that Omar Suleiman had invested significant time, energy, and resources in building the party’s presence in Adamawa and had earned his position through dedication and grassroots engagement.
Jimeta warned that replacing the candidate at this stage would amount to a betrayal of loyal party members and supporters who have rallied behind Omar Suleiman’s governorship ambition.
He described the reported move as a recipe for confusion and internal division, cautioning that it could severely weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.
“Omarana has done well and earned his ticket. Any attempt to replace him will be a serious failure. It will have grave consequences for the ADC in Adamawa State,” he said.
The ADC stalwart further warned that such a development could lead to disillusionment among party faithful and undermine broader opposition efforts in the state.
According to him, the party must remain focused on unity and fairness if it hopes to remain competitive in the upcoming elections.
He stressed that internal disputes and perceived injustices could erode public confidence in the ADC and affect the political aspirations of prominent opposition figures associated with the party.
Jimeta therefore called on party leaders to clarify the situation and reassure supporters that due process and internal democracy would continue to guide the party’s affairs.
As of the time of filing this report, the Adamawa State chapter of the ADC had not issued an official statement confirming any change in its governorship ticket, leaving questions surrounding the viral report unresolved.
The controversy comes as political activities continue to intensify across Adamawa State ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties seeking to consolidate their structures and strengthen their chances in what is expected to be a fiercely contested governorship race.
For now, supporters of Omar Suleiman maintain that he remains the party’s recognized candidate, while stakeholders await official clarification from the ADC leadership on the matter.
