ADC Faces Crisis as Kaduna and Kano Chapters Dispute Primaries

The African Democratic Congress is experiencing a leadership and legitimacy crisis across two Nigerian states following disputed primary elections. In Kaduna State, the party's Appeals Committee split over the governorship candidacy. Chairman Muhammed Mustapha Fagge affirmed Shuaibu Idris Mikati as the flagbearer, citing vote totals and irregularities among rivals. However, Committee Secretary Mikailu Ibrahim Barau declared Hon. Isa Ashiru the winner, describing Fagge's decision as illegal and urging the national secretariat to establish a new appeal committee.

While the Kaduna committee upheld some federal constituency victories, it ordered reruns in areas like Kaduna South and Ikara/Kubau due to procedural breaches.

Simultaneously, the ADC's Kano State chapter is facing a rebellion from state and legislative aspirants. These members rejected the May 21 primary results, alleging the process lacked transparency. Aspirants claimed the party conducted secret votes and imposed high nomination fees while mandatory screenings were still ongoing. The aggrieved group noted a contradiction where the election committee called for a consensus meeting on May 22, a day after the party claimed elections had already concluded. These members have called for a national investigation to restore democratic fairness.