The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna state is embroiled in a fresh internal crisis. Supporters of governorship aspirant Hon. Idris Shuaibu Abubakar Mikati have challenged the issuance of a Certificate of Return to Hon. Isa Ashiru as the party's candidate for the 2027 governorship election. This development has created tension within the party.
The Kaduna ADC Youth Vanguard and Mikati support groups, in a statement issued by its leader, Usman Sani, described the purported issuance of the certificate to Ashiru on October 4, 2026, as procedurally flawed. They urged the party's national leadership to reverse the decision, citing an appeal process that recognized Mikati as the candidate.
According to the group, Ashiru was declared winner of the party's May 2026 governorship primary with 86,113 votes. However, four aggrieved aspirants, including Mikati, subsequently appealed the outcome before the party's Electoral Appeal Committee. The committee, chaired by Dr Mustapha Fagge, reviewed the petitions and evidence submitted before it and overturned Ashiru's declaration.
The supporters alleged that the party's National Working Committee (NWC) had yet to formally convene to consider and ratify the appeal committee's report before the certificate was issued to Ashiru. They also said Mikati had approached the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over the dispute. This has raised concerns about potential further legal challenges.
The coalition maintained that Mikati remained the rightful candidate based on the outcome of the party's internal appeal process. They called on the ADC national leadership to convene an emergency NWC meeting to consider the appeal committee's report and address the dispute. The group accused the party leadership of bypassing its internal dispute-resolution mechanism.
The group, however, urged its supporters across Kaduna State to remain calm and law-abiding while the matter is addressed through the appropriate party and legal processes. This appeal for calm is crucial in preventing the escalation of the crisis within the party and its potential impact on the 2027 governorship election.
The crisis within the Kaduna ADC has significant implications for the party's future. The party's ability to resolve the dispute amicably and in accordance with its internal processes will be crucial in determining the outcome of the 2027 governorship election. The ADC's leadership must navigate this challenging situation carefully to avoid further divisions.
Key points
- The Kaduna ADC is facing a fresh internal crisis over the candidacy of Hon. Isa Ashiru for the 2027 governorship election.
- Supporters of Hon. Idris Shuaibu Abubakar Mikati have challenged Ashiru's candidacy, citing a procedurally flawed process.
- The party's national leadership has been urged to convene an emergency meeting to address the dispute and consider the appeal committee's report.
