Isiyaku Ahmed
Senior leaders and stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State have reaffirmed their support for Malam Ibrahim Khalil as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election, while accusing a former national officer of undue interference in the affairs of the state chapter.
The endorsement was announced by the Expanded State Interim Leadership Team (ESILT) and other party stakeholders led by former ADC Kano State Chairman, Alhaji Musa Shuaibu Ungogo; party elder, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Mabo; and the party’s Administrative Secretary in Kano State, Dr. Bala M. Takai.
Speaking at a press conference held on Sunday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano Council Secretariat, the stakeholders disclosed that they had submitted a position paper to the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, outlining their stance on the matter.
According to the leaders, Ibrahim Khalil emerged as the clear winner of the ADC governorship primary election held on May 22, 2026, polling 55,851 votes against his opponent’s 4,000 votes. They maintained that the outcome reflected the democratic will of party members and must be respected by the national leadership.
The stakeholders warned that any attempt to overturn or undermine the result could damage the party’s credibility and weaken its electoral prospects in Kano State, which they described as one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic states.
Explaining the basis for their support, the leaders cited Khalil’s strong grassroots appeal, long-standing commitment to the party, and ability to unite people across religious, social, and political divides. They noted that his influence among Islamic scholars, women, and young people could significantly enhance the ADC’s electoral fortunes in Kano and across the North-West region.
They also described Khalil as a founding member of the party’s legacy structure in Kano, crediting him with playing a pivotal role in building and sustaining the ADC through challenging periods.
The stakeholders, however, strongly criticized Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammed, accusing her of attempting to influence the conduct and outcome of the gubernatorial primary election.
They alleged that she instructed the chairman of the election committee not to announce the primary results and sought to replace recognized party stakeholders with loyalists.
According to the party elders, no provision of the ADC Constitution empowers a deputy national chairman to supervise or dictate the affairs of state chapters. They therefore described any such actions as unconstitutional, unlawful, and invalid.
They further argued that the office previously occupied by Muhammed no longer exists in a substantive legal capacity following constitutional amendments and resolutions adopted by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Addressing concerns about Khalil’s financial capacity to prosecute a successful governorship campaign, the stakeholders pointed to Kano’s political history, noting that several former governors had defeated wealthier opponents at the polls.
They cited the electoral victories of Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi in 1979, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in 1999, and Ibrahim Shekarau in 2003 as evidence that Kano voters often prioritise character, integrity, and leadership qualities over personal wealth.
The stakeholders called on the national leadership of the ADC to halt what they described as continued interference in the Kano chapter and to uphold the outcome of the governorship primary election.
They warned that disregarding the wishes of party members could trigger internal divisions and undermine the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
