Members of the ADC Stakeholders Support Forum, Zone One (Kaduna North Senatorial Zone), Kaduna State, have address the media, party faithful, stakeholders, and the general public regarding the outcome of the Senatorial Primary Election purportedly conducted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on 30th May, 2026, which, in our view, violated the party’s rules and guidelines.
After a careful review of the subsequent announcement of the result, we wish to state categorically that we reject and condemn the declaration of Alhaji Khalid Mustapha as the Senatorial Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Kaduna North Senatorial District.
Our rejection of the outcome is based on serious concerns regarding the manner in which the primary election was said to have been conducted. It is our considered position that the exercise did not comply with the established guidelines, rules, and democratic principles of the party. The process lacked the transparency, fairness, inclusiveness, and due process required for a credible and acceptable primary election.
A major concern is the exclusion of qualified and credible aspirants from participating in the contest, Distinguished Senator Sulaiman Abdu Kwari, a respected political leader and stakeholder of the party, was not given the opportunity to participate in the primary election. This development raises serious questions about the integrity, fairness, and legitimacy of the entire process.
We also wish to state that the refusal to invite Senator Sulaiman Abdu Kwari to participate in the primary election was reportedly based on allegations of anti-party activities. We maintain that the Primary Election Committee does not possess the authority to disqualify any aspirant on such grounds. Any decision affecting the eligibility of an aspirant must be taken by the appropriate organs of the party and carried out in accordance with the party’s constitution, rules, and established procedures.
Therefore, the Primary Election Committee lacked the authority to exclude or disqualify Senator Sulaiman Abdu Kwari from the contest. Such powers are vested solely in the appropriate organs of the party leadership.
Furthermore, Senator Sulaiman Abdu Kwari was duly screened and certified as competent and qualified to participate in the contest by the National Party of the ADC at the Senate level. Having successfully passed the party’s official screening process, a fundamental question arises: by what authority did the Primary Election Committee subsequently exclude him from the contest? The committee’s role is ordinarily to conduct a free, fair, and transparent primary election among duly cleared aspirants, not to overturn or invalidate decisions already made by the party’s competent screening authorities without due process. Any exclusion of a screened and approved aspirant raises serious concerns about procedural fairness, internal party democracy, and compliance with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.
The ADC Stakeholders Support Forum firmly believes that democracy can only thrive where there is respect for due process, equal opportunity, and adherence to the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines. Any process that denies eligible aspirants the right to participate cannot be regarded as free, fair, transparent, or democratic.
We are deeply concerned that the conduct of this primary election, if left unaddressed, could undermine the confidence of party members and supporters across Kaduna State. The ADC has continued to enjoy increasing support from citizens who believe in its vision of justice, accountability, and good governance. It is therefore important that the party protects its credibility by ensuring that all internal electoral processes are conducted in accordance with the principles of fairness and justice.
Accordingly, we call on the National Leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the National Working Committee (NWC), and the Kaduna State Executive Committee to urgently review the conduct of the Kaduna North Senatorial Primary Election and investigate all allegations of irregularities associated with the exercise.
We further urge the party leadership to take immediate corrective measures to address the grievances of stakeholders, restore confidence among party members, and strengthen internal democracy within the party. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to have been done.
Our position is not intended to create division within the party but rather to safeguard the integrity, credibility, and democratic values upon which the ADC is founded. We remain committed to the growth, unity, and success of the party and believe that the concerns raised by stakeholders deserve urgent attention.
Therefore, we hereby reject the outcome of the Kaduna North Senatorial Primary Election purportedly conducted on 30th May, 2026, and call on the appropriate authorities within the party to take swift and decisive action in the interest of justice, fairness, and party unity.
We thank members of the press and the general public for their attention.
Signed:
ADC Stakeholders Support Forum
Zone One (Kaduna North Senatorial Zone), Kaduna State
–Alhaji Sani Abba
–Dr Aminu Yahaya
–Mathew Jonathan sabon Gari Zaria.
–Mrs Maryam Mustapha
For and on behalf of concerned stakeholders, party members, and supporters.