WorldStage– Former governor of Kano State and chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has expressed deep disappointment after Nafiu Bala Gombe, a factional leader within ADC, failed to attend a scheduled reconciliatory meeting.
Kwankwaso disclosed in an interview with DCL Hausa he waited until dawn for Bala without him turning up, viewing the no-show as a missed opportunity to provide “fatherly counsel” to the young politician, who was born in 1990.
The friction stems from a leadership dispute within the ADC. Bala Gombe, leading a faction that claims to be the “authentic” leadership, has previously warned Kwankwaso to follow “due process” before joining the party and accused his group of attempting a “hijack” for personal gain.
Kwankwaso urged Bala not to become “the lizard at the mouth of the pot”. This local proverb refers to someone whose presence or actions prevent others from accessing something essential (the pot), while they themselves cannot fully utilize it – warning that Bala’s actions are detrimental to the ADC and Nigerian democracy.
“Yesterday, right up until dawn, I was waiting for Nafiu Bala, but he didn’t come. People told me he will not come. I wasn’t happy about it,” Kwankwaso stated.
Because Bala is from Gombe, Kwankwaso publicly called on the Emir of Gombe, other Emirs, and prominent Sheikhs to intervene.
He requested they advise Bala to “remove his hand” from activities causing internal problems for the ADC.
“Whoever see him should advise him to remove his hand from bringing problems to the ADC,” Kwankwaso urged.
“They say he is from Gombe. I called upon the Emir of Gombe and other Emirs and politicians and Sheikhs that know him to talk to him,” he said.This internal rift occurs amidst a broader realignment where figures like Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and others have moved toward the ADC to challenge the current administration in 2027.
