Yakubu Wuyep
African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Plateau has said that its stakeholders’ attention has been drawn to the recent press conference addressed by Mr. Dung Pam, who purportedly spoke on behalf of the party.
In a statement signed by Hamisu Abdullahi Secretary ADC Plateau State, and Longkat Ephraim Publicity Secretary (ADC) Plateau State, made available to Universal Reporters in Jos, they said; “We consider it necessary to set the record straight and make our position unequivocally clear to the people of Plateau State, Nigerians, and the international community.
“Mr. Dung Pam is not the recognised Chairman of the ADC in Plateau State under the leadership we recognise. Consequently, his statements at the press conference should not be regarded as the official position of the party. He acted in his personal capacity, and the recognised ADC Plateau State leadership does not accept his appearance or declarations as an authorised representation of the party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Amb. Mrs. Hannatu Gagara remains the recognised ADC Plateau State Chairperson in our position. We stand firmly by her leadership and reject every attempt to misrepresent the party’s leadership or create confusion about who legitimately speaks for the ADC in Plateau State.
1. MR. DUNG PAM MUST ANSWER FOR HIS OWN ACTIONS
Since Mr. Dung Pam purportedly acted without the authorisation of the recognised ADC Plateau State leadership, he must take personal responsibility for his statements, representations, and actions.
The appropriate authorities should address any allegations, charges, or legal proceedings arising from his conduct directly with him and any other individuals against whom there is sufficient evidence, in accordance with the law and due process.
The ADC Plateau State must not be held responsible for statements or actions it neither authorised, endorsed, participated in, nor adopted as its official position.
Let it be clearly understood that no individual can act independently, claim to represent the ADC Plateau State, and subsequently transfer responsibility for their actions to the entire party.
If Mr. Dung Pam or any other individual has acted contrary to the law, the relevant authorities should investigate the circumstances, establish the facts, and take appropriate lawful action against those responsible.
We will neither demand that anyone be shielded from accountability nor support the wrongful attribution of responsibility to an organisation that did not authorise or participate in the alleged conduct.
2. PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY: THE ADC PLATEAU STATE MUST NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS
We wish to make it unequivocally clear that any allegations, charges, or legal proceedings relating to Mr. Dung Pam, any candidate associated with the disputed activities, and the individuals responsible for the use or operation of the disputed party office must be addressed directly to the persons concerned, based on the available evidence and in accordance with due process.
The ADC Plateau State, under the recognised leadership of Amb. Mrs. Hannatu Gagara, must not be held collectively responsible for actions it did not authorise, endorse, or participate in.
If Mr. Dung Pam, any candidate involved, or those operating the disputed office acted independently or outside the authority of the recognised party leadership, they must personally answer for their respective actions. No individual should use the name, identity, or reputation of the ADC Plateau State to evade personal accountability or transfer responsibility to the party.
We therefore call on the relevant authorities to establish the facts, identify the individuals responsible for any alleged offences, and direct any appropriate legal action against those for whom there is sufficient evidence, rather than indiscriminately implicating the entire ADC structure in Plateau State.
Our position is straightforward: those who acted must answer for their actions, and those who authorised or participated in any unlawful conduct must be held accountable where the evidence establishes their responsibility. The party and its legitimate members must not be punished for acts they neither committed nor sanctioned.
The ADC remains committed to the rule of law, peaceful democratic engagement, and respect for constituted authority. We will neither obstruct lawful investigations nor accept the wrongful attribution of responsibility to our party for the independent actions of individuals.
3. WE REJECT UNAUTHORISED CLAIMS TO PARTY LEADERSHIP
We reject any attempt by an individual to assume or project a leadership position without valid authorisation through the recognised party structures and applicable procedures.
Accordingly, we consider Mr. Dung Pam’s purported representation of the ADC Plateau State leadership unauthorised and reject it entirely.
We challenge anyone claiming to be the ADC Chairman in Plateau State, other than the recognised leadership under Amb. Mrs. Hannatu Gagara, to produce verifiable evidence of their authority through the appropriate party structures and lawful channels.
Party leadership is not established merely by organising a press conference, making public declarations, or attempting to impose oneself on party members. It must be determined through the party’s constitution, applicable decisions, and recognised procedures.
We therefore urge the appropriate authorities to verify competing claims of representation and take lawful action wherever credible evidence establishes an offence.
We also call on all individuals involved to refrain from actions capable of misleading the public, creating confusion among party members, or undermining the integrity of the ADC in Plateau State.
4. ADC IS A LAW-ABIDING AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY
While firmly rejecting unauthorised representation, we emphasise that the African Democratic Congress is committed to democracy, due process, peaceful political engagement, and respect for constituted authority.
Our position should not be misconstrued as an attempt to obstruct an investigation or interfere with the work of any lawful authority. Rather, we insist that responsibility must be properly established and attributed to the individuals involved.
If Mr. Dung Pam, any candidate, or any other person has acted contrary to the law, the appropriate authorities should deal with the matter in accordance with the law. However, the party must not be dragged into an individual’s actions without evidence establishing that the party authorised, endorsed, or participated in the conduct in question.
We support accountability, but we equally insist on fairness, evidence, and due process.
The ADC Plateau State will continue to pursue its political objectives through lawful and democratic means and expects every individual, irrespective of political affiliation or personal ambition, to respect the law.
5. JMDM GM MUST REMAIN NEUTRAL AND IMPARTIAL
We reiterate our call on the JMDM GM to treat every political party fairly and impartially. Our demand is not for special treatment for the ADC but for equal treatment under the same rules.
Neutrality requires the verification of claims, respect for established party structures, and the avoidance of decisions based solely on personal declarations or political pressure.
We therefore urge the JMDM GM to rely on the appropriate channels for verifying party representation and not to confuse an individual’s press conference with an official communication from the recognised ADC Plateau State leadership.
Any action taken in relation to party representation or the disputed office should be guided by verifiable records, established procedures, and applicable law.
We expect all relevant institutions to remain neutral, professional, and committed to fairness in handling this matter.
6. OUR MESSAGE TO PLATEAU STATE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC
We want the people of Plateau State, Nigerians, and the international community to understand that the ADC Plateau State leadership we recognise is under Amb. Mrs. Hannatu Gagara.
We dissociate the recognised party leadership from any statement or action by Mr. Dung Pam that was not duly authorised or adopted by that leadership.
We further make it clear that the alleged actions of individuals, candidates, or persons operating the disputed party office must not automatically be attributed to the ADC Plateau State as an organisation.
Where there is evidence of wrongdoing, the individuals responsible should answer for their actions through the appropriate legal process. Equally, where there is no evidence establishing the party’s involvement, the party and its legitimate members must not be subjected to collective blame or punishment.
We call on our members and supporters to remain calm, disciplined, united, and law-abiding. We will not allow disagreements, unauthorised declarations, or competing claims to distract us from our democratic objectives.
Our commitment is to unity built on legitimate procedures, respect for the rule of law, and the protection of the integrity of our party.
CONCLUSION
Let the message be clear and unmistakable:
First, Mr. Dung Pam is not the recognised ADC Plateau State Chairman under the leadership we recognise. His purported representation of the party was unauthorised, and he must answer for his own actions.
Second, Amb. Mrs. Hannatu Gagara remains the recognised ADC Plateau State Chairperson in our position, and we stand firmly by her leadership.
Third, any allegations or charges involving Mr. Dung Pam, any candidate involved, or the individuals responsible for operating or using the disputed party office should be addressed directly to those concerned, based on the available evidence and in accordance with due process.
Fourth, the ADC Plateau State must not be held collectively responsible for actions it did not authorise, endorse, or participate in. Personal accountability must not be replaced by the indiscriminate attribution of blame to the entire party.
Finally, we call on the relevant authorities to establish the facts, respect the recognised procedures for verifying party representation, and ensure that justice is pursued fairly and lawfully.
The ADC is a law-abiding political party. We respect the law, support accountability, and expect every individual to take responsibility for their own actions.
We remain committed to defending the integrity of our party, protecting the rights of our legitimate members, and pursuing our political objectives through peaceful and democratic means.
One party. Recognised leadership. Personal accountability. Justice and respect for the rule of law.
