Aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State have called for the outright cancellation of the party’s recently conducted primary elections, describing the exercise as a “sham” marred by widespread irregularities.
Speaking at a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Kaduna, the aggrieved members – including House of Representatives aspirant Honourable Samaila Aliyu Makarfi, Honourable Zulaihat Abdulkarim Ummi, and the state women leader – argued that the process fell short of democratic standards.
“I took complaints from the state to the national level. In the primaries, there were no election materials. Items were delayed until 4pm,” said the women leader for Zone 1.
“In Ikara Local Government Area, I found no working materials and no election officials. Across wards, the situation was the same. In the end, results were merely fabricated figures based on personal interest,” she added.
The aspirants alleged that a governorship candidate, a serving member of the House of Representatives, and a Kaduna State lawmaker mobilised individuals who disrupted proceedings and carted away sensitive electoral materials.
“There was no election. We were promised a credible process, but that did not happen,” the group stated.
“What is happening in the Kaduna ADC is shameful. We expected this new party to lead with sincerity and honesty, but the outcome tells a different story. The poor have been disenfranchised. Women have been used. I remain neutral, but we need honesty.”
They called on all relevant authorities to intervene through the appropriate legal and political channels to ensure justice and uphold democratic principles.
