In a statement he personally signed on Monday in Kano, Kwankwaso dismissed recent criticisms directed at the Tinubu administration, insisting that opposition narratives and what he described as coordinated propaganda efforts would not weaken the President’s growing acceptance in the region.

He argued that similar political strategies were previously deployed during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, particularly around issues such as insecurity and ethnic sentiment during election periods.

Kwankwaso maintained that many of the challenges facing the North are long-standing and not new, adding that successive governments have struggled to fully resolve them over the years.

According to him, even past northern leaders who spent many years in power were unable to address the region’s problems as effectively as the current administration claims to be doing.

While acknowledging the security challenges experienced in the North-West, especially during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, he insisted that ongoing efforts by the current government are beginning to yield positive results.

He further stated that major federal projects currently ongoing across the northern region, particularly in rail and road infrastructure, reflect the administration’s commitment to development and would likely translate into strong political support in the 2027 elections.

The case, which came up on Monday, April 20, 2026, was not heard as scheduled. Presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, subsequently fixed June 9, 2026, for hearing after counsel to the plaintiffs, I. G. Ogugwa, requested additional time and noted that the matter was not a pre-election issue, warranting a longer adjournment.

Earlier on April 2, 2026, the court had declined an urgent request seeking to restrain the senator from presenting herself as a member of the ADC. Instead, the judge ordered that she be properly served with the processes and allowed to respond to the allegations before the court. The matter was then adjourned to April 20 for further proceedings, including arguments on pending applications and a preliminary objection filed by her counsel, Marshall Abubakar.

The suit was instituted by two ward officials of the ADC in Wuse Ward, Abuja — the ward chairman, Okezuo Kanayo, and secretary, Isaiah Samuel — through their lawyer, Kolawole Olowookere. They are seeking an order restraining the senator from participating in party activities pending the determination of the case.

The plaintiffs alleged that despite representing the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, the senator remains subject to the party’s internal rules. They claimed she was suspended on March 10, 2026, by the ward executive committee over allegations of anti-party conduct, misconduct, and alleged seizure of official ward documents.

They further stated that the suspension followed the ADC’s internal disciplinary procedures and was backed by a majority decision of ward executives. According to them, despite the suspension, the senator has continued to act in the party’s name, including holding meetings and issuing statements.

The plaintiffs also accused her of allegedly using security personnel to intimidate ward officials, a situation they say has caused tension within the party structure at the ward level.

The court is expected to hear all arguments from both sides when the matter resumes in June.

Speaking in an interview on AIT on Monday, Bala said he was invited under the impression that the meeting was a routine event meant to welcome new entrants into the party. However, he claimed he later discovered that the gathering was actually organised to unveil a new leadership structure reportedly headed by David Mark.

He explained that the true nature of the event only became clear after proceedings had already commenced, adding that it coincided with the resignation of Nwosu and the announcement of a new set of party executives.

According to Bala, the development represented a significant turning point in the internal crisis within the ADC, noting that the emergence of a leadership bloc associated with David Mark and other figures deepened existing divisions in the party.

Bala alleged that he was initially told the event was a simple adoption of new members, but later realized it was a formal handover involving the new coalition leadership. He also said that on the same day, Nwosu announced his resignation while unveiling new party officials, including names such as David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

He added that the situation further escalated tensions within the party, as different factions continued to contest control of the ADC structure.

Following the event, Bala said he moved to address the developments through internal party channels, including convening consultations and a National Executive Council meeting about a week later.

He further stated that after the consultations, he notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of his position as deputy national chairman and declared himself acting national chairman of the party.

Bala also alleged that the crisis worsened after he discovered what he described as irregularities, including claims that his signature was forged on documents linked to the resignation of some party officials. He said the disputed documents were used to facilitate the emergence of a new leadership team.

He concluded by saying he had taken legal steps against the faction aligned with David Mark and also made his position public through media channels.