Nigerian candidate sues party, electoral body over alleged forged withdrawal

Abubakar Sadiq Saadu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/Danko-Wasagu Federal Constituency in Kebbi State, Nigeria, is taking legal action after discovering an alleged forged affidavit purportedly withdrawing his candidacy.

Saadu stated in Birnin Kebbi that the document, dated July 28, 2026, is a forgery and demanded an investigation and prosecution of those responsible. He asserts he won the ADC primary election and his name was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party's candidate.

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My passport photograph, which I submitted to the ADC, was used to fraudulently swear the oath.

He claims the affidavit, which falsely states his withdrawal from the House of Representatives race, was sworn before a Commissioner for Oath in Abuja. Saadu maintains he never appeared before the official, signed the document, or authorized anyone to do so on his behalf. He alleges his passport photograph was used fraudulently, and the document contains errors like a computer-generated letterhead, incorrect address, and wrong party name, all indicating it's not genuine.

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My attention was recently drawn to an affidavit purportedly sworn on July 28, 2026, before a Commissioner for Oath at the High Court of Justice, Maitama, Abuja.

In response, Saadu has sworn a counter-affidavit and filed a lawsuit, scheduled for hearing on August 17. He is urging INEC to verify his status as the nominated candidate through official records and to disregard the forged document. He also called upon the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, ICPC, and DSS to investigate the alleged forgery.

Furthermore, Saadu requested the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory and the Nigerian Bar Association to investigate the circumstances surrounding the affidavit's swearing. He also urged the ADC National Working Committee and the Kebbi State chapter to formally notify INEC and security agencies of his authentic candidacy and disown the forged documents. Saadu also called for the dismissal of any plans for a new primary election, calling it an attempt to undermine his candidacy.

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I neither appeared before the Commissioner for Oath nor signed the document, adding that I did not authorise anyone to swear to the affidavit on my behalf.