Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused Nafiu Bala, factional chairman of the party, of working against democracy.

In an interview with DCL Hausa, on Tuesday, Kwankwaso said he had invited Bala so as to resolve the crisis amicably, but Bala refused to show up.

We had scheduled to meet yesterday, but despite waiting until morning, he did not show up. I had been warned he wouldn’t come, and his absence is truly disappointing. I want to share my message with you now so that if you meet him, you can deliver it on my behalf.

“In our current national situation, our party and our democracy do not need someone acting like the lizard at the mouth of the water pot. As a leader of this movement in Nigeria, I believe that when I invited him, he would honor the request so I could advise him as a father would a son.

“Given that he was born in 1990, he is a youth who still needs guidance. His current actions are not only detrimental to his own future but also to the ADC and Nigerian democracy as a whole.

“He should recognise that millions of people have registered; a party that was once small has grown significantly because prominent leaders joined with a mission to do what is right for this country. If he continues to stand in the way of that progress, it will become a very serious problem for him,” he said.

Kwankwaso also sought the intervention of the Emir of Gombe, traditional rulers, Ulamas.

“This is a serious matter, and he must realize his mistakes so that we can resolve this. This advice is offered freely because I know it is for the benefit of everyone involved.”