ADC Governorship Aspirant Petitions Appeal Committee Over Jigawa Primary Election*

*ADC Governorship Aspirant Petitions Appeal Committee Over Jigawa Primary Election* 

By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse

A governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State, Bashir Adamu, popularly known as Jumbo and Matawallen Kazaure, has petitioned the party’s State Election Appeal Committee, seeking a review of the conduct of the party’s governorship primary election in the state.

In a petition personally signed by the aspirant and obtained by journalists, Bashir Adamu alleged that the primary election was characterized by irregularities, violations of party guidelines, and undue interference by party officials.

According to the petition, the chairman of the primary election committee allegedly breached party regulations by acting on directives from the State Executive Committee instead of maintaining the neutrality required of his office. He further claimed that the committee chairman declared the party’s candidate under pressure.

The petitioner alleged that the State Executive Committee was compromised and worked to ensure the emergence of Mohammed Sabo Nakudu as the party’s governorship candidate.

Bashir Adamu, who described himself as a longstanding member of the party and a key figure in building its structures across the 27 local government areas of the state, claimed that some state and local government party officials actively supported Nakudu’s candidacy.

He further alleged that officials responsible for distributing election materials deliberately delayed their delivery, particularly in the North-West Senatorial District, resulting in late commencement of the exercise.

According to him, many party members who had waited for hours without accreditation left the venues before voting began.

The aspirant also alleged that some individuals took advantage of the situation by disrupting the process, seizing election materials, and influencing the outcome in favour of their preferred candidate.

He claimed that incidents of violence, intimidation, and thuggery occurred in several locations, prompting the electoral committee chairman to reportedly announce the cancellation of the exercise in four local government areas.

Bashir argued that these developments rendered the primary election inconclusive and undermined the democratic rights of party members.

He also questioned the legitimacy of the results announced by the State Executive Committee, maintaining that only the duly constituted Primary Election Committee had the authority to officially declare the outcome of the election.

The aspirant therefore called on the Appeal Committee to nullify the governorship primary election and order a fresh exercise, alleging that the process violated the party’s constitution, guidelines, and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

Despite his grievances, Bashir reaffirmed his loyalty to the ADC and expressed confidence that the party’s leadership would thoroughly examine his petition and ensure a fair resolution of the matter.

The allegations contained in the petition represent the claims of the petitioner. The party leadership and other individuals mentioned would be entitled to respond to the allegations.