THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) Youth Progressive Forum has called on the national leadership of the party to immediately appoint Hon. Abdullahi Dalhatu Dankano as the substantive National Youth Leader following the resignation of the former occupant of the office, Hon. Balarabe Rufa’i.
News Point Nigeria reports that the forum said the position became vacant after Rufa’i resigned to pursue his ambition of contesting for the Kano Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections, urging the party to fill the office without delay in the interest of unity, stability and progress.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued by the forum through its spokesperson, Hon. Abubakar Hashim, who referenced the resignation letter submitted by Hon. Balarabe Rufa’i on April 30, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark.
According to the forum, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of the ADC’s cleared senatorial candidates in Kano State, with Rufa’i’s name absent from the list.
The group argued that, having resigned from the office and failed to emerge as a cleared senatorial candidate, Rufa’i should no longer be regarded or addressed as the party’s National Youth Leader.
It therefore maintained that the vacuum created by his resignation should be filled by another credible, committed and experienced member of the party from Kano Central Senatorial District, specifically Hon. Abdullahi Dalhatu Dankano.
The forum described Dankano as a loyal and dedicated party stalwart with the leadership qualities, political experience and grassroots support required to effectively lead the party’s youth wing.
It also highlighted his contributions to the growth of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), where he served as the Kano State Secretary, noting that his tenure was characterised by commitment, discipline and effective party organisation.
The forum further alleged that Hon. Balarabe Rufa’i had recently engaged in anti-party activities, warning that returning him to his former office would provide him with another opportunity to continue actions capable of destabilising the party in Kano State.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, its spokesperson, Hon. Abubakar Hashim, also alleged that Rufa’i’s reported disrespect toward some national leaders of the African Democratic Congress, as well as his rejection of the Kano State Caretaker Committee constituted with the approval of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), had disqualified him from holding any official position within the party.
The group consequently appealed to the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, and members of the National Working Committee to give favourable consideration to its request by appointing Hon. Abdullahi Dalhatu Dankano as the substantive National Youth Leader.
According to the forum, the appointment would serve the overall interest of party unity, internal stability and organisational progress.
The forum also argued that filling the vacancy created by Rufa’i’s resignation with Dankano would further strengthen the confidence of members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the ADC in Kano State and deepen their commitment to working for the party’s success ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It expressed optimism that Dankano’s appointment would promote inclusiveness within the party, reinforce internal cohesion, energise the ADC’s youth structure and strategically position the party for greater success in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
