A former representative of the Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani, has publicly dismissed the protests led by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) supposedly aligned with former Senate President David Mark. Speaking to journalists in Kaduna on Friday, April 10, 2026, the vocal civil rights activist and politician described the demonstrations as “artificial theatrics” and a “distraction” from the core issues of national governance. Sani argued that the protest, which sought to challenge the current national leadership of the ADC under Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, was not a genuine “grassroots movement” but a calculated attempt by “political migrants” to hijack a party they did not build.
Senator Shehu Sani’s critique focuses on what he perceives as a “clash of political cultures” between the original ADC members and the new faction allegedly being positioned by David Mark. Sani maintained that for a party to be a credible alternative for the Nigerian people, it must be built on “ideology and sacrifice” rather than on the “ambitions of retirees” from the major political parties. He noted that the protests in Abuja were poorly attended by actual card-carrying members of the party and consisted largely of “hired elements” designed to create a “false narrative of crisis” for media consumption. Sani urged the Nigerian public to see through the “smoke and mirrors” and focus on the fundamental task of building a viable democratic alternative for 2027.
The “David Mark-led protest” faction had earlier claimed that the current leadership of the ADC had overstayed its tenure and was “trading the party” for personal gain. However, Sani’s dismissal aligns with the stance of the ADC National Working Committee (NWC), which has already labeled the protesters as “impostors.” Stakeholders within the civil society community have expressed concern that the “internal warfare” within the ADC might weaken the opposition’s ability to hold the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) accountable. Sani, however, argues that the “purgatory phase” is necessary for the ADC to “flush out” those who are only interested in using the party as a “bargaining chip” for future government appointments.
Political analysts suggest that Shehu Sani’s intervention is significant because of his reputation for “straight-talking” and his deep understanding of the Nigerian political underground. Experts observe that by dismissing the David Mark faction, Sani is signaling to the “political elite” that the “old way of doing business” where heavyweights simply move in and take over smaller parties is being met with increasing resistance from the “ideological wing” of the opposition. Analysts argue that the ADC is currently at a “crossroads” where it must decide if it wants to be a “big tent” for everyone or a “principled vanguard” for reform. Sani’s position clearly favors the latter, suggesting that the party is better off without the “baggage” of politicians associated with the previous eras of governance.
The broader implications of this dismissal point toward a sharpening of the “battle lines” within the Nigerian opposition. As the 2027 general elections draw closer, the pressure for “mergers and acquisitions” among political parties is expected to grow. Senator Shehu Sani’s stance serves as a warning that any attempt to “fabricate protests” to influence party leadership will be met with public scrutiny and political pushback. For the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the challenge remains to prove its “functional autonomy” and to convince the electorate that it is not merely a “holding ground” for displaced politicians. As the controversy continues to unfold, the focus remains on whether the “Nwosu leadership” can maintain its grip on the party machinery in the face of such high-profile opposition.
