By Abdulkareem Haruna


MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis and a resurgence of regional instability, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Borno State has inaugurated a new executive committee, pledging to prioritize “succor and good governance for a population battered by years of conflict and economic hardship.

The inauguration, which took place on Sunday following a state congress, saw the swearing-in of a 27-member State Working Committee. The new leadership is headed by Hon. Kolo Bukar, a veteran politician and former member of the Borno State House of Assembly, who previously served as the state chairman of the PDP.

A Consensus for Change
The Chairman of the State Congress Committee confirmed that the new leadership emerged via a unanimous consensus—a move intended to signal internal stability within the opposition party. The committee successfully coordinated the selection of 312 ward executives and 27 local government area leaders over the past week.

Speaking at the event, **Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam**, a founding member of the APC and now a central figure in the ADC, emphasized that the completion of the party’s internal structure marks the beginning of a political campaign centered on human-centric governance.

“The ADC would ensure fairness, justice, and accountability in public funds spending,” Ibrahim-Imam stated, noting that the party aims to challenge the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) by offering an alternative focused on social welfare.

Addressing the “Topography of Suffering”
In his acceptance speech, Chairman Kolo Bukar addressed the stark realities facing Borno residents. He linked the state’s current socio-economic challenges directly to a failure in governance, citing rising poverty levels and the persistent threat of insecurity that continues to displace families across the Northeast.

ADC chieftains, executives during the state working committee inauguration in Maiduguri

“The ruling party has been a complete failure; they have failed this country and this state. Their leadership has brought insecurity, poverty, and countless other challenges,” Bukar said.

Acknowledging the difficult terrain of opposition politics, Bukar insisted that the ADC possesses a unique understanding of Borno’s “topography” – both geographical and social. He vowed that the party’s platform would move beyond rhetoric to address the root causes of the state’s humanitarian needs.

Strategy for Recovery
A key highlight of the inauguration was the disclosure that the ADC is developing a “comprehensive policy document” designed to mitigate insecurity. While Bukar declined to expand on the specifics of the roadmap, he framed it as an essential tool for restoring safety and dignity to the people of Borno.

“Our message to the people of Borno is one of succor,” Bukar added. “We are deeply concerned by the resurgence of insecurity, which represents a failure of governance at both the federal and sub-national levels.”
The Humanitarian Times strongly believes that as Borno continues to navigate the complexities of post-conflict recovery and the return of displaced persons, the emergence of a structured opposition focusing on “policy over politics” adds a new dimension to the state’s path toward stability.