Idris urges ADC’s NWC to wade into Kaduna gov’hip primary election tussle

Shuaibu Idris, a contender for the Kaduna State governorship ticket under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged the party's National Working Committee (NWC) to address a dispute surrounding the recent governorship primary election. Idris expressed concern that inaction on the internal crisis could significantly hinder the ADC's prospects in the 2027 general elections.

“

It will be wrong to say that ADC does not have a governorship candidate in Kaduna State. Of course we have a governorship candidate.

Idris, a private sector professional and Managing Consultant/Chief Executive of Time-Line Consult Limited, asserted that the party does have a recognized governorship candidate in Kaduna. He stated that the party's election guidelines were meticulously followed during the nomination process. This process, he explained, involves the advertisement of nomination forms, submission and review of applications by a screening panel, and an appeal panel to address any disqualifications.

“

When you check the procedure for election or nomination as espoused in the party’s guideline as rolled out by the party, the party guideline was very very clear.

Following these stages, a primary election committee is appointed to conduct the election, with a further appeal panel established to review the committee's actions. Idris contended that these established procedures were adhered to. However, he described the primary election, which declared Isah Ashiru the winner with approximately 86,000 votes, as a "charade." He criticized the election's poor preparation and funding, which he believes allowed for "opportunistic infractions."

“

Our party had primary election, and Isah Ashiru was declared winner with about 86,000 votes. Then I looked at that election as a charade, and I did cause a press release to be granted and we took exception to the modus operandi, the mechanism of the Committee that conducted the election.

Idris revealed that an election review committee was formed by the state chapter of the party to examine the conduct of the primary election committee. The findings of this review committee, according to Idris, indicated issues with the election process.

“

The election, number one, was ill-prepared, extremely poorly funded, and it gave rise to opportunistic infractions to take place during the primary election.