Nigeria's ADP presidential candidate warns against ticket alteration

Aliyu Bin Abbas, the presidential candidate for Nigeria's Action Democratic Party (ADP), has raised alarms over alleged attempts to alter the party's presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections. In a statement released Friday, Abbas emphasized that any modification to his candidacy must follow due process, warning that such actions would violate democratic principles.

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Any attempt to secretly substitute, withdraw, replace or otherwise compromise my candidacy without my express consent and without strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the ADP, and applicable INEC procedures would constitute a grave assault on democratic principles and the rights of our members and supporters.

Abbas indicated he had received information about political pressure regarding the party's presidential nomination but did not offer independent proof. He stressed that any decision concerning the ticket must comply with Nigeria's Constitution, the Electoral Act, the ADP's own rules, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines. "Any attempt to secretly substitute, withdraw, replace or otherwise compromise my candidacy without my express consent and without strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the ADP, and applicable INEC procedures would constitute a grave assault on democratic principles and the rights of our members and supporters," he stated.

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My mandate is not a personal possession of any individual, neither is it a political bargaining chip to be traded behind closed doors.

The ADP candidate, who secured his position through established party processes, called on the party's National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and state chairmen to protect the integrity of the nomination process. He also requested the preservation of all official records related to the primary, nomination, and submissions to INEC. Abbas asserted that his mandate is not a personal asset or a bargaining chip, urging stakeholders to respect members' rights and allow democratic processes to dictate candidate selection for the 2027 elections. "Our party belongs to its members. Our mandate belongs to the people. And our democracy belongs to Nigeria," he concluded.

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Our party belongs to its members. Our mandate belongs to the people. And our democracy belongs to Nigeria.