A new conflict has emerged in the Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Supporters of Hon. Idris Shuaibu Abubakar Mikati are rejecting the Certificate of Return that was issued to former governorship candidate Hon. Isa Ashiru.
The Mikati camp, which includes the Kaduna State ADC Youth Vanguard and various support groups from all 23 local government areas, claims the certificate issued on October 4, 2026, is illegal and flawed. They argue that the ADC’s national leadership gave Ashiru the certificate despite an ongoing internal dispute and a court case related to the party’s May 2026 governorship primary.
This situation has reignited debates about the primary’s results, where Ashiru was initially declared the winner with over 86,000 votes. Following this, four dissatisfied aspirants, including Mikati, filed challenges with the party’s Electoral Appeal Committee, which is led by Dr. Mustapha Fagge. The committee reviewed the evidence and overturned Ashiru’s victory, naming Mikati as the rightful candidate.
Supporters of Mikati claim that the National Working Committee (NWC) has not formally reviewed or approved the appeal committee’s findings. They also allege that the NWC has not met in over six months and issued Ashiru’s certificate without resolving the disputes from the primary and the appeal.
The coalition criticized the NWC for ignoring its own dispute resolution process, calling the certificate’s issuance “ultra vires,” meaning it was beyond the authority of the NWC. They declared the certificate null and void, stating it lacked approval from the NWC or the National Executive Committee (NEC).
In response, the group is urging the ADC national leadership to reverse the decision and hold an emergency meeting to address the appeal committee’s report. Mikati has also taken legal action by approaching the Federal High Court in Abuja to contest this situation, warning that any attempt to submit Ashiru’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could lead to further legal challenges.
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