The internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State has taken a messy turn as the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee has fractured into two opposing factions, each endorsing a different governorship candidate. The bitter dispute has spilled into the public eye, leaving members and observers confused about who holds the legitimate ticket for the upcoming election.
The crack in the committee became undeniable during a press briefing at the ADC State Secretariat in Kaduna, where the Appeal Committee Secretary, Dr. Mikailu Ibrahim Barau, openly challenged the panel’s leadership. Barau revealed that a majority of the committee members recognize Isa Ashiru as the duly elected governorship candidate, based on the official data compiled by the party’s electoral officers.
Barau fiercely distanced himself and other members from a conflicting announcement made by the committee chairman, Dr. Mustapha Fagge, who had declared Shu’aibu Idris-Mikat as the flagbearer. Describing Fagge’s decision as a solo run cooked up outside the knowledge of the committee, Barau labeled it an illegitimate “Abuja Declaration” that completely bypasses proper party channels. He pointed out that a temporary committee chairman lacks the unilateral power to substitute or confirm candidates, as that authority rests solely with the national leadership.
To resolve the deadlock, Barau urged the National Secretariat to throw out the chairman’s solo verdict and carefully review the official draft report alongside all petitions submitted by aggrieved aspirants. He also suggested setting up a newly reconstituted appeal committee to ensure a fair, transparent, and more inclusive process, while appealing to anxious party members to remain calm and trust that internal democracy will triumph over personal ambitions.
However, the drama took another turn when the committee chairman, Dr. Mustapha Fagge, held his own briefing to defend his stance. Fagge insisted that the panel thoroughly reviewed all petitions and evidence brought forward by dissatisfied aspirants. According to him, the committee unanimously settled on Idris-Mikat because he secured the highest number of valid votes in the primary. Fagge further justified his decision by claiming that the committee uncovered evidence of irregularities and fraudulent conduct tied to rival aspirants, which ultimately disqualified them from consideration.
This public power struggle has left the ADC national leadership with a tough knot to untie, as both factions dig in their heels with conflicting claims of legitimacy.
