ADC Overhauls Borno Chapter for 2027 Surge

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially signaled its intent to challenge the political status quo in Borno State, inaugurating a high-powered Transitional Committee to steer its affairs toward the 2027 general elections. In a strategic move aimed at absorbing the recent wave of high-profile defectors, the party nominated Hon. Adamu Usman Tubo as its new State Chairman.

The restructuring, detailed in a circular dated December 18, 2025, reflects a deliberate attempt to achieve geographical and political balance within the insurgency-weary state. Tubo, a seasoned political figure from the Borno South Senatorial District, is joined by Hon. Sunusi Lawan Badawi, hailing from Borno North, who will serve as the committee’s Secretary.

This leadership refresh comes at a time when the ADC is transforming into a catch-basin for aggrieved heavyweights from the state’s dominant parties. The coalition has recently welcomed a “who’s who” of Borno politics, pulling influential figures from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Among the most notable new entrants is the former TETFund Chairman, Mattawali Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, and Alhaji Idris Mamman Durkwa, the 2023 APC senatorial candidate for Borno South. Their shift to the ADC, alongside former House Minority Leader Barrister Mohammed Kumalia, suggests a significant fracturing of the ruling party’s traditional power base in the Northeast.

The ADC’s new frontline also features veteran legislative leaders, including former Speakers of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bukar Kachallah and Rt. Hon. Bulama Fugu. By integrating these established names with youth stakeholders like Hon. Sheriff Banki and Abba Haruna, the party appears to be building a multigenerational bridge to the electorate.

The circular, authored by the party’s North-East Organising Secretary, Hon. Mohammed Abba Kyari, was formally transmitted to the ADC’s national headquarters in Abuja. It confirms that the current national leadership—led by Interim National Chairman Senator David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola—is providing the tactical oversight for this Borno expansion.

For the residents of Borno, this realignment offers a potential alternative to the long-standing APC hegemony. Political analysts suggest that the ADC is capitalizing on the internal friction currently paralyzing the PDP at the national level. By presenting a unified “third way” led by recognized local figures, the ADC aims to consolidate the opposition vote long before the 2027 campaign officially begins.

The timing of this restructuring is equally significant, following the recent local government elections in the state which were characterized by significant voter apathy and complaints from opposition groups about an unlevel playing field. The ADC’s move to formalize its structures now is a clear message that it intends to be a “major force” that cannot be ignored in the next electoral cycle.

As Hon. Adamu Usman Tubo takes the reins, his immediate challenge will be the integration of these disparate political factions into a cohesive fighting unit. The success of this transitional committee will likely determine if the ADC can truly transition from a nascent coalition into a formidable contender for the Government House in Maiduguri.