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

By Innocent Anaba

Governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Kaduna State, Shuaibu Idris, has called on the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party to wade into the crisis in the state over the outcome of the governorship primary election in the state.

Idris in a chat with newsmen in Lagos, maintained that keeping mute while the state chapter of the party boils over who becomes its governorship candidate would definitely reduce the chances of the party in Kaduna State in 2027.

Idris, a private sector player, Managing Consultant/Chief Executive of Time-Line Consult Limited, a company that specialises in Advisory Services, Research, Capacity Building, Process Review and Improvement, said that early resolution of the crisis would enhance the chances of the party in the 2027 general election in Kaduna State, adding that it is wrong to claim there is no governorship flag bearer of ADC in Kaduna.

Mr Idris put the record straight for the public while giving reasons why he is the authentic and legally recognised candidate of the party, adding that the party’s election guideline was followed and a candidate emerged.

“It will be wrong to say that ADC does not have a governorship candidate in Kaduna State. Of course we have a governorship candidate. 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. “Nomination form was advertised, and the date we are supposed to fill and submit, were stated, the party administration will review the submitted form and a screening panel appointed. The screening panel screened candidates, certify documents submitted, and give a verdict. When and where a number of candidates were disqualified at the screening panel, an appeal panel is usually set up to review the actions of the screening panel and appropriately recommend action.

“Then a primary election committee appointed, primary election are conducted, then appeal panel is established to reviewed the conduct of the Election Committee action, and they give their verdict after a review. It is just like the High Court and Appeal Court. And the ADC, just like any other party in Nigeria, has these guidelines and all of us that purchased form were given copies of these guidelines; and these guidelines were followed hook line and sinker.

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

dris disclosed that an election review committee was set up by the party in the state to review the conduct of the election Committee and found out that the election was fundamentally flawed. “And when the party in observance of its guidelines, set up a committee, I was convinced to send a petition requesting that the primary election conducted be reviewed, that I believed I won, even though the result given revealed that I came last.

“Out of five of us that participated in the primary, I was the lowest. And the appeal Committee x-rayed the evidence I provided, and they came to the conclusion that, yes, by validly cast votes, Shuaibu Idris won the election and they went ahead and declared me as the candidate. Today, legally speaking, Idris is legally the candidate for the governorship position of tADC, for the 2027 general election.”

He disclosed that the National Working Committee of the party has not formally met to review the decision of the Appeal Committee, adding that there was nothing to worry as the NWC of the party has its hand full as it has to also attend to several other appeal committees in other states of the federation, not just Kaduna State alone.

He stated, however, that having met about 80 percent of members of the NWC on the matter, their opinion was that the NWC requires input from their legal department before they could delve into the matter and to know what action to take.

Revealing his interaction with members of the NWC, he said it was obvious that Idris has the mandate, but a decision would soon be made. He said the members have seen documentary evidence why the appeal Committee took the position they took in his favour.

Idris said that as far as he knows, the appeal Committee of the party has not rescinded their decision and described actions of Isah who is having meetings with party executives and appointing a running mate, as extremely insulting to the people of Kaduna. He said it was a matter of time the truth will be revealed.

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