Former lawmaker Shehu Sani has likened the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to a used or inherited vehicle, commenting on the party’s ongoing leadership struggles and the recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognize the David Mark-led leadership.
Reacting to the internal tussle within the coalition party, Sani drew parallels between inheriting or acquiring a pre-existing entity and the challenges that come with it. “When you buy or inherit a used vehicle, you’ll have to deal with problems associated with the engine, brake pads, tyres, shaft, filter and other things,” he wrote on X.
He emphasized that the issues currently facing the ADC are typical of inheriting an existing organization rather than establishing a new one from scratch. “That is the situation of the ADC. That is the difference between registering a new party and inheriting an old one,” Sani added, highlighting the difficulties in navigating structural and operational challenges passed down from previous leadership.
Sani’s commentary comes in the wake of INEC’s decision to derecognize the leadership faction led by former Senate President David Mark, underscoring the legal and organizational hurdles the party must now confront.
The former lawmaker had recently visited President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, in Abuja. He was accompanied by other prominent political figures from Kaduna State, reinforcing his continued engagement in national political discourse despite his status as a former legislator.
Sani’s remarks serve as both an analysis and a caution to coalition party leaders, stressing the importance of building new political structures rather than relying solely on inherited ones, which may carry unresolved issues from previous administrations.
Observers note that his analogy resonates in Nigeria’s broader political landscape, where party realignments, leadership disputes, and inherited structures often complicate governance and electoral preparations.
By framing the ADC’s challenges as the expected consequences of “inheriting” an existing party, Sani subtly underscores the strategic advantage of establishing new political organizations, free from legacy conflicts and structural weaknesses.
His commentary is likely to fuel discussions among political stakeholders, particularly as parties prepare for upcoming elections and navigate internal leadership disputes that may impact their competitiveness on the national stage.
In conclusion, Sani’s perspective paints the ADC’s current difficulties as a cautionary tale in political party management, highlighting the pitfalls of inheriting organizations with pre-existing problems, while reinforcing the value of building new, structurally sound political entities.
