The Jigawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has petitioned the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, seeking the immediate replacement of its governorship candidate over allegations that he was indicted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the alleged diversion of constituency project funds.

The petition, written by Abubakar Sani and Ibrahim Maijamaa, both members of the ADC in Jigawa State, read in part, “With a heavy sense of commitment and responsibility to our great Party, we, the bonafide registered members of the Party from Gwaram Local Government Chapter of Jigawa State seek the indulgence of your good offices to forward our petition against Sen Sabo Nakudu.”

The petitioners said it had become public knowledge that Senator Sabo Nakudu, who represented the Jigawa South-West Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023, was indicted for allegedly short-changing his constituency, according to the ICPC Report Phase II (Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI)).

According to the report cited by the Jigawa ADC, the ICPC recovered public funds totalling N2.8 billion from Senator Sabo Nakudu and two others. It added that, apart from the recovered funds, the commission also recovered two Hilux trucks, hundreds of water pumping machines, motorcycles and drilling rigs from two companies allegedly owned by Senator Sabo and operated by his brothers.

The petitioners stated, “It is in view of the foregoing incontrovertible and damaging indictment against Sen. Sabo Nakudu, that we wish to draw your attention on the dangers of allowing him to become the anointed ADC Gubernatorial Candidate for Jigawa State in the forthcoming 2027 General elections as it would be an exercise in futility.”

They further alleged that Sabo, while serving as an APC senator, escaped prosecution but, now that he is an indicted member of the main opposition party in the state and the country at large, the ruling APC could frustrate the ADC’s determination to win power in Jigawa State despite the party’s growing popularity.

When contacted by telephone, Sabo Nakudu said he had not seen the petition and could not comment on a document he had not read.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike on Thursday said it would be difficult for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to win the presidential election in 2027.

Wike explained that PDP is struggling with internal problems, hence it would be difficult for the party to win the presidential election.

He spoke during his monthly media chat in Abuja.

The minister said, “To Nigerians now, the only way democracy is active is when ADC and NDC participate in the election, if not there will be no democracy?

“Democracy in Nigeria is now defined as the participation of Peter Obi and Atiku, that’s the only time we have democracy?

“That’s the level we’ve taken ourselves to, defining democracy by the participation of Atiku and Peter Obi. If they don’t participate no Northern Nigerian can run in those positions, democracy is only when Atiku and Obi contest, that’s when we are talking about opposition.

“I have told you that PDP has a problem, now having that problem is not easy to put yourself back to winning a presidential election, it’s not an easy task.

“We are not even talking about the ordinary Ward election, it’s difficult and what is more paramount to us now is building a party, see what you can do at the state level, put your pieces together and prepare.

“You are talking about the PDP, was I not the one that was accused of being an agent of the APC? Those accusing me where are they?”

A public affairs analyst and chieftain of Accord Party, Light Adoko has urged the party’s national working committee to submit the name of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adoko made this demand in a statement on Wednesday.

This comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Olawepo-Hashim’s presidential candidacy at Accord Party.

According to the party, in a statement by one of its national chairmen, Maxwell Mgbuden had rejected Olawepo-Hashim’s alleged emergence as the party’s presidential candidate. However, Olawepo-Hashim had dismissed the party’s position.

The controversy had led to the party leaving itself without a presidential candidate for the coming 2027 elections.

Reacting to the development, Adoko said the party leadership should waste no further time sending the name of Hashim to INEC as its presidential candidate.

He alleged that the actions are the All Progressives Congress machinery to weaponize the party leadership so it will not field a presidential candidate in 2027.

“A fearful establishment is trying to weaponize party machinery to deny our sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, the presidential ticket he deserves and rightfully should be his.”

“A political party is not a private business. It is not a family property managed by a privileged few. A political party is a public trust. It is driven by the hopes, hard work, and financial contributions of millions of ordinary citizens, many who are members of this movement.

“We must look back to understand how dangerous the action of these conspirators within our party is undermining internal party democracy and the very tenets of our hard-won democracy.

“It is a direct rebellion against the New Nigeria divine covenant agenda of God for this country.

“The action of these anti-democratic forces is not only an attempt to block one man, but it is a hijack of the votes. It is good our party, Accord, put forward Olawepo-Hashim’s name to INEC as its presidential candidate,” he stated.