ADC upholds Kaduna gov candidate, orders rerun in disputed areas

The African Democratic Congress's primary election appeals committee in Kaduna State has affirmed Shuaibu Mikati as the party's governorship candidate. The committee also mandated fresh elections in several federal and state constituencies following reviews of petitions related to the party's recent primaries.

Committee Chairman Dr. Muhammed Fagge announced the decisions Tuesday, stating that the panel meticulously reviewed petitions, documentary evidence, and submissions from aspirants. Mikati's victory was unanimously upheld after confirming he received the highest number of valid votes. The committee cited evidence of irregularities and fraudulent activities linked to competing governorship aspirants as further reasons for affirming Mikati.

"The committee thoroughly examined all petitions and supporting documents. After a painstaking review, we established that Shuaibu Idris Mikati secured the highest number of valid votes cast in the governorship primary election and is therefore duly returned as the party’s candidate," Fagge said.

The committee also confirmed the victories of Tukur Salisu Kakeyi for Zaria Federal Constituency and Muhammed Mahmoud Aliyu for Soba Federal Constituency. However, several other primary elections were declared inconclusive, with reruns ordered in constituencies experiencing substantial irregularities, procedural breaches, omitted aspirants, or inadequate voting evidence. For instance, a rerun was ordered in the Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency because a screened aspirant was omitted from ballot papers. Similarly, a fresh exercise was ordered for Kaduna South Federal Constituency due to a lack of credible evidence of elections across all wards.

Fagge explained that these rerun elections would occur in affected wards and constituencies, including Kaura, Soba, Ikara, Kajuru, and others. He stressed that these measures were essential to protect the credibility and integrity of the party's nomination process. The committee also ruled on the Kaduna North Senatorial District primary, cautioning against consensus or affirmation processes.

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The committee thoroughly examined all petitions and supporting documents. After a painstaking review, we established that Shuaibu Idris Mikati secured the highest number of valid votes cast in the governorship primary election and is therefore duly returned as the party’s candidate.