Written By: Ahmed Rufa’i in Dutse
The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State, Muhammad Sani Gumel, has appealed to aggrieved governorship aspirant, Hon. Bashir Adamu Jumbo and other dissatisfied party members to remain calm and stay committed to the party despite the controversy surrounding the recently concluded governorship primary election.
Speaking in a telephone interview with TRUTHS FINDER in Dutse, Gumel described Hon. Jumbo as a respected elder statesman and key stakeholder in the ADC, urging him to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith.
“I am pleading with Hon. Jumbo as an elder, a respected figure in the ADC and Jigawa State politics to be patient and take everything as the will of Almighty God,” the chairman said.
He noted that disagreements are common in political contests, particularly when several aspirants compete for a single position.”In every contest where many people vie for one position, only one person can emerge as the winner.
Those who do not succeed may naturally have complaints. As a party, all our members are equal, and we remain committed to supporting whoever emerges through the process,” he added.
Gumel further extended an apology to all party members who felt offended by the conduct or outcome of the primary election.
“On behalf of the party, we are seeking the understanding of Hon. Jumbo and every member who feels aggrieved. We are appealing to them to remain in the party and continue contributing their efforts toward rescuing Nigeria and Jigawa State from the current challenges,” he said.
The appeal comes amid growing tension within the ADC following the governorship primary election that produced Senator Muhammad Sabo Nakudu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election.
Hon. Bashir Adamu has rejected the outcome of the exercise and petitioned the party’s State Election Appeal Committee, alleging widespread irregularities, intimidation and violations of party guidelines during the conduct of the primary.In the petition obtained by journalists, the former federal lawmaker accused the State Executive Committee and some party officials of compromising the electoral process in favour of a preferred aspirant.
He alleged that election materials were deliberately delayed in some parts of the state, particularly in the North-West Senatorial District, resulting in voter disenfranchisement and confusion during the exercise.
Bashir also claimed that incidents of violence, intimidation and the alleged hijacking of election materials affected the credibility of the process, leading to the cancellation of voting in four local government areas.
The aspirant maintained that the election was inconclusive and questioned the legitimacy of the results announced by the party leadership.He subsequently called on the Appeal Committee to nullify the primary election and order a fresh exercise in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Despite his grievances, Bashir reaffirmed his commitment to the ADC and expressed confidence that the party would address the issues raised in his petition in the interest of justice, fairness and internal democracy.
