THE APPEAL Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has upheld the results of the party’s governorship primary election in Kaduna State, affirming Isa Ashiru as the duly elected candidate.
Mr Mikailu Barau, Secretary of the committee disclosed this at a press conference at the ADC State Secretariat in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Barau said the committee had reviewed the petitions before it and found no basis to alter the outcome of the primary election.
The committee also urged the party’s National Secretariat to convene all high-profile aspirants for political negotiations and consensus-building aimed at strengthening party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Hon. Isa Ashiru remains the duly declared winner and gubernatorial candidate of the ADC for Kaduna State based on the collated results by the electoral committee,” Barau stated.
He called on the National Secretariat to disregard the “Abuja Declaration” and instead obtain the committee’s draft report together with all petitions submitted for consideration.
Barau further advised the party leadership to constitute a restructured appeal committee to ensure broader stakeholder engagement and proper reporting procedures.
The committee also faulted the action of its Chairman, Dr Mustapha Fage, who had alleged, earlier announced the substitution of Ashiru’s name with that of another aspirant, Shu’aibu Idris-Mikat.
According to Barau, the decision was taken unilaterally and did not reflect the collective position or findings of the committee.
“The substitution of Isa Ashiru’s name as the party’s flag bearer is procedurally invalid and does not represent the collective findings or consensus of the committee,” he said.
The committee described the Abuja Declaration issued by Fage without the involvement of the secretary and other members as illegal, arguing that the authority to return or substitute a candidate rested solely with the party’s national leadership and not with an ad hoc appeals committee chairman.
Barau urged party members to remain calm and steadfast, assuring them that the committee would continue to uphold the rule of law and the principles of internal democracy within the party.
“We will not allow the personal interests of a few to jeopardise the collective political aspirations of our party in the upcoming general elections,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the party leadership would take appropriate steps to address the issues raised and preserve unity within the ADC. (NAN)
