The African Democratic Congress in Jigawa State has suspended Aliyu Gantsa, one of its members on the National Working Committee, for 12 months. The reason given is alleged anti-party conduct, though the specific acts behind the charge were not spelled out. A punishment of that kind, imposed by a state chapter on a national officer, points to strained relations inside the party. Charges of anti-party activity are a familiar feature of Nigerian politics and often foreshadow bigger splits or defections. Gantsa will spend the year on the outside of the party's top decision-making body unless the penalty is lifted or overturned. Members in Jigawa and beyond will watch whether he contests the suspension through internal channels or absorbs it quietly. For the ADC, the episode is a test of how firm its discipline really is when one of its own senior figures is accused.