The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has expelled its Borno State House of Assembly hopeful Mohammed Bunu, branding him a “borno candidate” who breached party rules by appearing on campaign material for rival presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar. The decision, conveyed in a letter dated October 25, 2026, was signed by state deputy chairman Umar Fema and follows two missed appearances before party committees tasked with probing the allegations.
According to the disciplinary letter, the controversy erupted when flyers bearing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) logo, the slogan “SABON TAFIYA, SABON SALO,” and photographs of both Atiku Abubakar and Bunu surfaced in Borno. Party officials said the images suggested Bunu was endorsing the ADC presidential campaign, a move deemed incompatible with NDC’s constitution, rules and principles of discipline. The letter quoted the party’s leadership, stating it was formally communicating “disciplinary decision concerning allegations of anti‑party activities and conduct considered inconsistent with the party's constitution, rules, regulations, and established principles of discipline.”
The matter first surfaced at the Hausari Ward level, where Bunu was summoned to appear before the ward executive on October 23, 2026, at around 10 a.m. to answer the charges. Ward secretary Rabiu Umar noted that Bunu failed to attend, prompting a recommendation for disciplinary action that was forwarded to the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) Working Committee. A second summons was issued for October 24, 2026, before an investigation committee, but Bunu again did not show up. MMC chairman Adamu Ibrahim subsequently endorsed the recommendation for dismissal and escalated the case to the state leadership for final action.
In the letter, Fema highlighted that the party’s investigation reports confirmed Bunu’s absence and the seriousness of the allegations. “According to the report submitted by the ward leadership, you did not appear to defend yourself,” the document read. Based on those findings, the NDC resolved to dismiss Bunu from the party, pending any further constitutional requirements. The communication also instructed Bunu to cease presenting himself as authorized to act on behalf of the NDC in any capacity affected by the disciplinary decision.
While the expulsion removes Bunu from party membership, the letter drew a line between that step and the separate issue of stripping him of the candidacy for the state House of Assembly. Party officials said the two matters would be handled independently under the party’s constitution, leaving open the possibility that a replacement candidate could be nominated for the upcoming 2027 elections.
The incident unfolds against a broader backdrop of political realignments ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The NDC, a relatively new player, has been working to consolidate its structures in the north, where competition among the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and smaller parties remains intense. Allegiances are closely watched, and any perceived cross‑party activity can trigger swift disciplinary measures, as seen in this case.
Political analysts note that the presence of Atiku Abubakar’s name on the material is significant because he is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, a party that historically draws support from the same regions where the NDC is trying to build a base. The NDC’s swift response may be aimed at signaling its commitment to internal cohesion and preventing any perception of divided loyalties among its candidates.
The expulsion also coincides with other internal challenges for the NDC. In Bauchi State, Ibrahim Kashim, the party’s governorship candidate, resigned his membership on October 16, 2026, issuing a statement to supporters but offering no details on his next political move. Such developments show the fluid nature of party affiliations as election season approaches.
For ordinary Nigerians in Borno, the removal of Bunu could affect local political dynamics, especially in Hausari Ward where he was expected to contest a seat in the state legislature. Voters who had already associated his name with the NDC may now face uncertainty about who will replace him on the ballot and what policy priorities the new candidate will champion.
The NDC has not yet announced a successor for the Borno House of Assembly ticket, but party officials indicated that the selection process would adhere to constitutional timelines to ensure the replacement appears on the official candidate list before the electoral commission’s deadline.
As the disciplinary process concludes, the party’s leadership emphasized that adherence to party rules remains non‑negotiable. “The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Borno State chapter, hereby formally communicates the party's disciplinary decision concerning allegations of anti‑party activities,” the letter reiterated, underscoring the seriousness with which the organization views any breach.
The next step will involve the state party’s executive council meeting to nominate a new candidate for the House of Assembly seat, a decision that will be closely watched by both party loyalists and rival factions as the 2027 election calendar tightens.
