Politics

ADC defies venue setback, insists convention holds today

Published

2 months ago

April 14, 2026

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By Juliet Umeh

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has affirmed that its national convention scheduled for April 14 will proceed as planned at the Rainbow Event Centre, despite last-minute attempts to revoke access to the venue.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, a senior party figure, Kola Ologbondiyan, disclosed that the leadership received reports late Monday night indicating that the owner of the Rainbow Event Centre had been instructed to withdraw permission for the event.

According to him, the venue owner expressed concern about jeopardising his business, stating that he had been directed to ask the party to vacate the premises.

Ologbondiyan said: “Last night, we got reports that the owner of the Rainbow Event Centre came to inform the leadership that he had been instructed to withdraw permission. He said he did not want to lose his only means of livelihood.

“The leadership made it clear that having met all contractual engagements, there was no basis for us to vacate the venue at such a late hour. We told them that if anyone insists on enforcing such an order, they should come and do so themselves.

“If we are denied access to the venue, we are prepared to conduct the convention on the streets. This is our party, and the convention belongs to the members.”

As of the time of filing this report, accreditation of delegates had already commenced at the venue, with no official communication indicating a halt to the process.

Providing context on the challenges faced by the party, Ologbondiyan described repeated difficulties in securing venues for party activities as “shameful”, citing multiple instances where event centres withdrew agreements at short notice.

“It is strange that even before the election season, there appears to be panic among those in power. We have faced several last-minute cancellations from venues we had already engaged,” he said.

On concerns raised by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, administration regarding alleged non-compliance with procedural requirements, Ologbondiyan insisted that the party had adhered strictly to the provisions of the Electoral Act.

“Our responsibility under the law is to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at least 21 days before the convention. We have done that, and INEC has not rejected our notice,” he explained.

He added that the commission’s attendance at the convention was discretionary.

“Whether INEC decides to attend or not is entirely up to them. What the law requires of us, we have fulfilled,” he said.

He dismissed speculations of internal divisions within the party, particularly regarding leadership and the emergence of a presidential candidate, noting that such narratives were being pushed by external actors.

“What is important now is that the ADC continues to build and strengthen itself. Issues of candidacy will be resolved at the appropriate time, either through consensus or direct primaries,” he added.

Ologbondiyan also downplayed reported disputes arising from state congresses in some parts of the country, describing them as typical of political party processes.

“Political parties are about contests and disagreements. What matters is that there are established mechanisms to resolve them. As we speak, there is no court order stopping this convention,” he said.

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Politics

Kaduna ADC confirms Mikati as governorship candidate after appeals review

Published

15 minutes ago

June 2, 2026

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Appeal Committee in Kaduna State has confirmed Shuaibu Idris Mikati as the party’s governorship candidate after reviewing complaints from aspirants who contested the recent primary election.

The chairman of the committee, Dr Muhammed Mustapha Fagge, said the panel carefully examined petitions, documents and submissions before reaching its decisions.

According to Fagge, the committee unanimously upheld Mikati’s victory after finding that he received the highest number of valid votes.

The panel also said evidence presented during its review pointed to irregularities and alleged fraudulent activities involving some rival governorship aspirants, reinforcing its decision.

The committee equally affirmed the victories of Tukur Salisu Kakeyi in the Zaria Federal Constituency primary and Muhammed Mahmoud Aliyu in the Soba Federal Constituency contest after confirming that both candidates secured the highest number of valid votes.

However, several other primaries were declared inconclusive due to irregularities, procedural violations, the omission of candidates from ballot papers, and a lack of sufficient evidence that voting took place.

In the Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency, the committee ordered a rerun after discovering that Ibrahim Danlami Kubau, a cleared aspirant, had been omitted from the ballot.

A fresh primary was also ordered in Kaduna South Federal Constituency after investigators found no credible evidence that elections had been conducted across all wards.

The committee directed rerun elections in several constituencies and wards, including Kaura, Soba, Ikara, Kajuru, Badarawa/Malali, Magajin Gari II, Birnin Gwari, Tudun Wada West, Igabi, Kagarko, Kawo, Zaria, Chikun/Kajuru and Kudan/Makarfi.

In another key ruling, the committee said any attempt to adopt a consensus or affirmation process for the Kaduna North Senatorial District primary would be invalid unless all parties involved agreed to it.

Fagge said the committee was guided by fairness, transparency, inclusiveness and internal democracy.

“Our decisions were reached strictly on the basis of facts, evidence, and the provisions of the party’s guidelines,” he said.

He added that the committee remained committed to protecting the integrity of the party’s internal electoral process and ensuring that the wishes of members are respected.

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Politics

Aggrieved Kano ADC aspirants reject primary election results

Published

27 minutes ago

June 2, 2026

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Some aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano have rejected the outcome of the party’s state and legislative primary elections, alleging irregularities and calling for an investigation.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano, the group’s spokesperson, Hon. Wada Masu, said the primaries, allegedly held on May 21, 2026, lacked credibility and transparency.

“We are deeply dissatisfied with the conduct of the purported primary elections,” Masu said, arguing that the process raised “serious questions” about its legitimacy and compliance with party rules.

“It is difficult to understand how primary elections could have been conducted while aspirants were still participating in the mandatory screening process,” he said.

According to the aggrieved aspirants, the party’s election committee invited them to a consensus meeting on May 22, a day after the alleged primaries. They said the invitation indicated that primary elections would only be conducted if the consensus arrangement failed.

Masu argued that this contradicted claims that valid primaries had already taken place on May 21.

The aspirants said the sequence of events exposed major inconsistencies and could undermine members’ confidence in the party’s internal democratic process.

They also insisted that every aspirant deserves a level playing field and the opportunity to compete under conditions that comply with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

“We urge the national leadership of our great party to thoroughly investigate these developments and ensure that justice is done,” Masu said, adding that the party’s integrity depends on it.

The aspirants warned that ignoring their concerns could create further disputes ahead of future elections. However, they stressed that their action was not directed at any individual.

The group said it would continue to pursue its grievances through lawful channels while awaiting action from the party leadership.

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Politics

2027 Presidency: You don’t have moral right to advise Jonathan — PDP tells Keyamo

Published

32 minutes ago

June 2, 2026

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2027 Presidency: You don’t have moral right to advise Jonathan — PDP tells Keyamo

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party has taken a swipe at the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over his comments urging former President Goodluck Jonathan to reject the party’s presidential nomination for the 2027 election.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PDP accused Keyamo of attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of the party and questioned his moral authority to offer political advice to Jonathan.

The party said it would ordinarily have ignored the minister’s remarks but decided to respond because of what it described as growing anxiety within the ruling All Progressives Congress over increasing calls by some Nigerians for Jonathan’s return to national leadership.

According to the PDP, Keyamo’s criticism of the party’s position was ironic given his history as a public interest lawyer and activist who built his reputation challenging governments and defending democratic principles.

“It is rather ironic that Festus Keyamo, a man who built his public profile through relentless criticism of governments and public office holders, now seeks to deny others the very democratic space he once occupied with such enthusiasm,” the party said.

The PDP argued that Nigerians remember Keyamo as a vocal critic of those in power and questioned why he now appeared uncomfortable with citizens and political parties exercising their constitutional rights.

The party urged the minister to focus on his responsibilities in government rather than commenting on opposition politics.

“Instead of concerning himself with the internal affairs of the PDP, the Minister would do well to devote his energy to addressing the numerous challenges confronting the aviation sector and the wider administration of which he is a part,” the statement said.

The PDP further contended that Nigerians were more concerned about economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and declining living standards than political commentary directed at Jonathan.

It also criticised the performance of the APC-led administration, alleging that the country had experienced worsening economic conditions, infrastructure challenges and governance concerns under the ruling party.

Defending Jonathan, the PDP said many Nigerians continue to view his administration positively, citing what it described as political stability, economic growth and improved investor confidence during his tenure.

“The obvious nervousness that has greeted President Jonathan’s candidacy is understandable, because Nigerians have not forgotten that under his administration, the country enjoyed political stability, sustained economic growth, increased foreign investor confidence, and a more inclusive national atmosphere,” the party stated.

The opposition party maintained that no amount of intimidation or political pressure would prevent Nigerians from supporting leaders of their choice.

It added that as the country approaches another election cycle, citizens are increasingly seeking “competent, unifying and selfless leadership” capable of addressing the nation’s challenges.

The PDP concluded by advising Keyamo to channel his attention toward helping the Federal Government tackle pressing national issues rather than offering what it described as unsolicited advice to the former president.

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