ADC primaries crisis deepens as rival candidates emerge, aspirants reject results and defections threaten party unity ahead of 2027

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is grappling with a growing internal crisis following the conclusion of its primary elections, with allegations of irregularities, parallel primaries, rival candidates, petitions and threats of litigation emerging across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also read: Jigawa ADC primary faces petition over alleged irregularities

The disputes, which have affected party structures in Ogun, Kano, Katsina, Benue, Adamawa and Kebbi states, have raised concerns among party members that the ADC Primaries Crisis could weaken the party’s electoral prospects and undermine efforts to present a united front before the next election cycle.

The unrest has already claimed a major political casualty, with former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, resigning from the party.

Lawal alleged that the party’s presidential primary was manipulated in favour of Atiku Abubakar, who emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

The crisis took a dramatic turn in Ogun and Katsina states, where rival factions produced separate governorship candidates.

In Ogun State, a faction loyal to state chairman Emmanuel Famojuro declared Dr Biodun Ogundipe, a Canada-based artificial intelligence expert, as the winner of the governorship primary. However, another faction aligned with Femi Soluade announced Jimi Lawal, a former aide to Nasir El-Rufai, as the party’s candidate.

Both politicians continue to lay claim to the ticket, raising the prospect of a legal battle unless the party’s national leadership intervenes.

Adding to the controversy, governorship aspirant Marie Odusina criticised the conduct of the primary election, describing the exercise as secretive, poorly managed and riddled with irregularities.

A close aide to Odusina said the aspirant was considering leaving the party for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, citing dissatisfaction with the process.

A similar dispute has unfolded in Katsina State, where one faction led by Musa Wamba adopted Salisu Uli through a consensus arrangement, while another faction under Mohammed Rimi endorsed former senator Ahmed Kaita as the party’s governorship candidate.

Supporters of both camps have exchanged accusations over the legitimacy of the process, with each faction insisting that its candidate emerged through the recognised party structure.

The ADC Primaries Crisis has also spread to Kano, where aggrieved aspirants rejected the outcome of governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly primaries.

Speaking under the platform of Concerned ADC Aspirants and Stakeholders, the dissatisfied members alleged widespread irregularities and questioned the credibility of the exercise.

The group’s spokesperson, Wada Masu, argued that the primaries could not have been validly conducted on May 21 because screening processes for aspirants were reportedly still ongoing on the same day.

The aspirants subsequently called on the national leadership of the party to investigate the matter and provide a transparent resolution.

However, the state chairman, Musa Ungogo, dismissed the allegations and maintained that due process was followed throughout the exercise.

Ungogo attributed the complaints to dissatisfaction among unsuccessful aspirants and disclosed that consultations were ongoing between governorship aspirants Ibrahim Little and Malam Ibrahim Khalil to reach a consensus.

In Benue State, at least nine House of Representatives aspirants have petitioned the party’s appeal panel over the conduct of the primaries.

One of the aggrieved aspirants, Inalegwu Ejembi, alleged that no election was conducted despite members preparing to participate in the exercise.

Although Ejembi ruled out defecting from the party, he expressed confidence that the appeal panel would address the grievances raised by affected aspirants.

The situation in Adamawa State has taken a legal dimension.

A House of Representatives aspirant, Ahmed Bashir, described the primary election as a sham and vowed to challenge the outcome in court.

Bashir alleged that he was pressured to step down for Adamu Atiku, son of the former vice president, and claimed he was denied access to the party’s appeal committee before forwarding his petition to the national headquarters.

Reacting to the allegations, the state secretary, Shagna Pwamaddi, insisted that the primaries were free and fair and advised aggrieved members to pursue available internal dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Meanwhile, the party suffered another setback in Kebbi State after former House of Representatives aspirant Bashar Geda defected to the ruling APC alongside several party executives and supporters.

Geda, who contested for the Bunza, Birnin Kebbi and Kalgo Federal Constituency ticket, was formally received into the APC by party leaders in Nasarawa I Ward.

Representing the state chairman of the APC, Shehu Idris welcomed the defectors and assured them of equal opportunities within the party.

Explaining his decision, Geda said the developmental projects undertaken by Nasir Idris influenced his decision to join the ruling party and support its administration.

Governor Idris also expressed appreciation to the defectors and assured them of fair treatment within the APC.

Also read: Atiku, Babachir Lawal clash over ADC primary rigging allegations

With multiple disputes, rival candidates, court threats and defections emerging across several states, the ADC Primaries Crisis presents a significant challenge for the party as it seeks to consolidate its structures and strengthen its position ahead of the 2027 general elections.