A governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State, Hon. Bashir Adamu (Matawallen Kazaure), has formally petitioned the party’s State Election Appeal Committee, seeking a review of the recently conducted governorship primary election.

In the petition, personally signed by the aspirant and obtained by journalists, Bashir Adamu alleged that the primary was marred by widespread irregularities, breaches of party rules, and undue influence by party officials.

He accused the chairman of the primary election committee of abandoning neutrality and acting on instructions from the State Executive Committee, contrary to party regulations.

According to him, the chairman eventually announced the party’s candidate under pressure.

The former federal lawmaker further alleged that the State Executive Committee was biased and worked to secure the emergence of another aspirant, Sabo Nagudu, as the party’s governorship candidate.

Bashir claimed that, having played a central role in building the ADC structure across all 27 local government areas of Jigawa State, he was disappointed that state and local party officials allegedly mobilised support for his opponent and were entrusted with election materials, thereby creating room for manipulation.

He also alleged that officials responsible for distributing election materials deliberately delayed their delivery, particularly in the North-West Senatorial District.

The delay, he said, resulted in materials arriving late at night after many party members had waited for hours for accreditation. According to the petition, the prolonged delay forced many eligible voters to leave before voting commenced.

Bashir further claimed that political thugs loyal to his rival exploited the situation by seizing election materials and fabricating results in favour of their preferred candidate.

The petitioner also cited incidents of violence, intimidation, and thuggery in several parts of the state, which disrupted the exercise. He noted that the electoral committee chairman cancelled the election in four local government areas due to the disturbances.

Bashir argued that the disruptions rendered the exercise inconclusive and condemned what he described as attempts to intimidate party members from exercising their democratic rights.

He also questioned the validity of the results announced by the State Executive Committee, insisting that only the duly constituted Primary Election Committee had the authority to declare the outcome of the election.

Consequently, he urged the Appeal Committee to nullify the primary election and order a fresh poll, arguing that the process violated both ADC guidelines and provisions of the Electoral Act.

Despite his grievances, Bashir reaffirmed his loyalty to the ADC and expressed confidence that the party would fairly consider the issues raised in his petition.

Three members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP.

This came barely a day after the National Assembly resumed plenary following a Sallah recess.

At the plenary on Wednesday, the member representing Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Rabilu Bala, formally quit the APC to join the PRP.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who read Bala’s letter on the floor of the chamber, said the lawmaker attributed his decision to persistent internal disagreements within the APC and the need to pursue a political platform he believes would better enable him to serve the interests of his constituents.

In the same vein, Abubakar Zango, who represents Yola North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency of Adamawa State, also announced his resignation from the APC and subsequent defection to the ADC.

In his letter, Zango said his decision was guided by his conscience and what he described as the broader national interest, pledging to continue discharging his legislative responsibilities diligently and in accordance with democratic principles.

In a similar move, the member representing Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Abdullahi El-Rasheed, also defected from the APC to the ADC.

Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, has described the outcome of the recently concluded All Progressives Congress, APC, primary elections as an act of God.

Jatau said he has accepted the result with humility and a spirit of sportsmanship.

Speaking on the outcome of the party primaries, Jatau noted that the electoral process was conducted in line with the timetable and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, stressing that electoral contests naturally produce winners and losers.

According to him, politics is a competitive process in which not every aspirant can emerge victorious, adding that participants must be prepared to accept the outcome while respecting established democratic procedures.

“Political contests come with two possible outcomes, victory or defeat. Some of our colleagues were successful in the primaries, and I congratulate them on their emergence,” he said.

The Speaker acknowledged that some aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcome have chosen to seek redress through appropriate party channels and other legitimate avenues, expressing confidence that their concerns would be addressed in accordance with due process.

He, however, maintained that his personal response to the result has been guided by faith and political maturity.

“For me, I have long cultivated the spirit of sportsmanship. I see what happened as the will of God, and I have accepted it wholeheartedly and in good faith,” Jatau stated.

He expressed gratitude to God for the opportunities and achievements recorded throughout his political career, noting that every experience, whether favourable or otherwise, should be approached with appreciation and dignity.

The Speaker further urged party members and supporters to remain united and committed to the collective interests of the APC, stating the need for cohesion as preparations intensify ahead of future electoral contests.