ADC suspends Jigawa primaries collation indefinitely over violence, irregularities

Tension and confusion have engulfed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State as officials indefinitely suspended the collation of primary election results. The decision came amid widespread allegations of irregularities, violence, and malpractice across various levels of the party's nominations.

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Results had been received from 19 out of the 27 local government areas, while officials were still awaiting submissions from Auyo, Roni and Kazaure councils.

Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Zaki Ahmed, the Chief Returning Officer sent from the ADC national headquarters, announced the suspension at the collation venue in Dutse. He stated that unresolved complaints and significant infractions made continuing the process impossible. Results had been received from 19 of the 27 local government areas, but submissions were still pending from Auyo, Roni, and Kazaure councils.

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There were reports of irregularities and malpractice in some local governments, while Gwaram witnessed threats of violence capable of disrupting the process completely.

Ahmed detailed serious infractions, including reports of malpractice in some areas and threats of violence in Gwaram that could have disrupted the entire process. In Guri Local Government, no election even took place due to conflicts among party factional leaders. These developments prompted the decision to halt the collation.

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In Guri Local Government, there was no election at all due to conflict among factional leaders of the party. Because of these developments, we have decided to suspend the collation exercise.

The exercise, which commenced on Monday, was plagued by controversy from the outset. Reports of intimidation, factional disputes, cancelled results, and disrupted voting emerged from multiple councils. For over 48 hours, the ADC electoral committee had not declared any winners, fueling anxiety among party supporters and officials. The crisis reportedly stems from a closely contested governorship primary between Hon. Adamu Jumbo and Senator Sabo Nakudu.

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The suspension followed days of tension and political horse-trading within the party, as rival camps accused one another of attempts to manipulate delegates.