Jigawa ADC: INEC 2027 Candidate Omission Sparks Dispute

• The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State is disputing the omission of its deputy governorship candidate, Aminu Ringim, from INEC's final list for the 2027 elections.
• Ringim's name was replaced by Musa Ya’u Balarabe, despite ADC's insistence on Ringim as their official submission for Sabo Muhammad Nakudu's running mate.
• ADC also reports that approximately seven other endorsed candidates were excluded from the Independent National Electoral Commission's list, affecting constituencies like Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa, Kaugama, and Birnin Kudu.
• The party vows to pursue legal avenues, citing the Electoral Act and party constitution, to challenge what it views as irregularities and a deliberate attempt to destabilize the party.
• INEC, through its Jigawa State Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Adamu Sawaba, maintains that the published list is final and legally binding, despite receiving complaints.

The party intends to pursue all available legal avenues to address the situation, emphasizing adherence to constitutional guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act, hoping for a resolution through the courts.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State has voiced strong objections following the exclusion of its endorsed deputy governorship candidate, Aminu Ringim, from the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) final list for the upcoming 2027 general elections. The list, which was publicly displayed at the INEC headquarters in Dutse on Saturday, notably replaced Ringim's name with that of Musa Ya’u Balarabe, despite the party's assertion that Ringim was their officially submitted running mate.

Aminu Ringim himself acknowledged the omission when contacted, though he refrained from offering further comments, directing inquiries to party officials. The final list sighted by observers confirmed that the ADC governorship candidate, Sabo Muhammad Nakudu, was paired with a different running mate, a nomination the party is actively disputing. Beyond Ringim, the ADC Deputy State Chairman, Nuraddeen Jidawa, further disclosed that approximately seven other candidates, who had received the party's endorsement and whose names were duly submitted to INEC in compliance with established guidelines, were also conspicuously absent from the final list.

The African Democratic Congress has firmly rejected the published list, with Nuraddeen Jidawa reiterating that Aminu Ibrahim Ringim remains the party's official submission for the deputy governorship position alongside Sabo Muhammad Nakudu. Jidawa stated that the party does not consider the released list to be final and is committed to engaging the electoral body through all available legal means. He underscored the critical importance of adhering to constitutional guidelines and respecting established procedures in the electoral process.

Jidawa characterized the omissions as a deliberate maneuver designed to destabilize the party, not only within Jigawa State but across the entire country. He specifically highlighted concerns regarding candidates in seven constituencies, including Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa, Kaugama, and Birnin Kudu. The party official expressed hope that the matter would ultimately be resolved through the courts, in accordance with both the party's constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act. He also called upon party members, supporters, and the public to maintain calm and unity as the ADC continues its efforts to address these perceived irregularities.

In response to the African Democratic Congress's grievances, the Independent National Electoral Commission in Jigawa State has maintained the definitive nature of its published list. Adamu Sawaba, the Head of Department for Voter Education and Publicity at INEC Jigawa State, unequivocally stated that the list displayed on Saturday represents the final candidate roster for the 2027 general elections. Sawaba acknowledged that the commission had indeed received complaints regarding the names of certain candidates vying for positions in the state.

Despite these complaints, Sawaba reiterated that the list stands as final, emphasizing that INEC's operations are strictly guided by law. This stance sets the stage for potential pre-election litigation, as the ADC has signaled its intent to challenge the omissions and unauthorized substitutions through judicial intervention. The party intends to pursue all available legal avenues to address the situation, emphasizing adherence to constitutional guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act, hoping for a resolution through the courts.

Lawyers advising political parties or candidates should note the potential for pre-election litigation challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission's final candidate lists, particularly concerning alleged omissions or unauthorized substitutions. This case highlights the need to understand the legal avenues available under the Electoral Act and party constitutions to contest such decisions, as parties may seek judicial intervention to rectify perceived irregularities.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online