As campaigns for the 2027 general elections begin, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State is having a tough time keeping things together.
Allegations that the ADC leadership replaced winners of primary elections are at the center of this problem.
Also, the governorship candidate, Sabo Nakudu, and party member Bashir Jumbo have publicly clashed over a power-sharing deal, making it harder to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North West state.
In August, Mr Nakudu publicly denied a supposed 60:40 power-sharing agreement. His statement is more than just a legal move; it shows a serious split in the opposition party just before the general election.
Mr Nakudu’s words showed that the ADC is deeply divided along factional lines.
Crisis and Failed Internal Reconciliation
The governorship primary saw Mr Jumbo, a four-time House of Representatives member and a key figure in the ADC, face off against Mr Nakudu, who recently switched from the ruling APC.
Mr Jumbo took his complaints to the party’s election appeal committee. He alleged that there were many irregularities, intimidation, and interference by party leaders during the primary. His supporters see Mr Nakudu’s rise as a takeover by rich newcomers, while Mr Nakudu’s side claims Mr Jumbo’s camp is just sore losers.
A leaked document showed a supposed 60:40 power-sharing agreement, the deputy governorship position, and cabinet posts. It looked like an attempt to settle differences between the two groups.
But Mr Nakudu’s strong rejection of the document showed that talks not only failed but also turned into open conflict.
“I, Senator Sabo Mohammed Nakudu, CON, Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jigawa State, for the 2027 General Elections, hereby categorically disclaim and repudiate the purported agreement currently in circulation and allegedly entered into between me and Hon. Bashir Adamu Jumbo, OFR.
“I did not negotiate, execute, approve, authorise, consent to, adopt or ratify the said agreement, nor am I aware of or bound by its purported terms.
“I specifically dissociate myself from the provisions relating to the alleged 60:40 power-sharing formula, Deputy Governorship arrangement, allocation of elective positions and Federal or State appointments. I authorised no person or group to make such commitments on my behalf.
“I therefore urge all persons, institutions, political actors and media organisations to refrain from treating, publishing or circulating the document as an agreement duly executed or authorised by me, and to correct any contrary representation.
“In view of the seriousness of the matter, I shall pursue all appropriate legal and lawful remedies against any person found responsible for fabricating, altering, falsely attributing, unlawfully using or circulating the document or my purported signature,” Mr Nakudu said in August.
Observers noted that Mr Nakudu has reached a point where returning to peace is hard. When party fights go from political deals to claims of forgery and fraud, normal reconciliation efforts do not work.
Strategic Fallout Ahead of the Election
The ongoing crisis leaves the ADC in a weak position on two main fronts. Mr Jumbo is strong in his Jigawa North-west (Kazaure zone) home area. If his supporters feel left out and misled by fake agreements, the party risks losing them or facing sabotage during elections.
Instead of uniting to challenge the ruling APC, the ADC is wasting important time, resources, and public trust on internal fights and media disputes.
Analysts say that while Mr Nakudu’s denial may help his legal standing and power, it confirmed that the Jigawa ADC is divided.
Unless the party top brass steps in to make peace, this bitter fight could make the ADC ineffective before the first vote is cast in 2027.
The rift also threatens the chances of the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the state.
Mr Jumbo’s group accused Mr Nakudu of not campaigning for Atiku, saying his campaign posters do not show the presidential candidate’s image.
Speaking on Freedom Radio, Nasiru Laraba, a supporter of Mr Jumbo, accused Mr Nakudu of trying to weaken Atiku’s base to help President Bola Tinubu.
Mr Laraba challenged Mr Nakudu to actively campaign for Atiku, who is believed to have supported Mr Jumbo in the party’s primary.
“Why is the governorship candidate not campaigning for Atiku in this state, as is being done elsewhere?” Mr Laraba asked.
He added that people who joined the party only a short time ago were trying to cause trouble.
Substitution of Candidates
Mr Nakudu is reportedly angry about the party headquarters’ decision to replace his running mate, Aminu Ibrahim, with Balarabe Kaugama.
Several other candidates have also been swapped, including Zakari Alhaji-Sidi, a popular House of Representatives candidate for the Hadejia, Kafin-Hausa, and Auyo federal constituency who won convincingly in the primary.
The state’s ADC chairperson, Sani Muhammad, told PREMIUM TIMES that about eight party members who won in the primaries for legislative seats were replaced.
Mr Muhammad said the state leadership had raised concerns over this.
“Among the affected flagship positions is Zakari Alhaji-Sidi, as well as the deputy governorship candidate initially nominated by Sabo Nakudu, who was unexpectedly replaced with Balarabe Kaugama.
“We believe that a governorship candidate has the right to choose their running mate, which Sabo Nakudu did. The reasons for this unexpected replacement are still unclear.
“The substitutions have been reported across several House of Assembly constituencies, including Birnin Kudu, Taura, Yankwashi, Birniwa, Kaugama, Hadejia, and Bulangu. In each case, elected primary winners were swapped for people who did not win the party’s primaries.
“At the state level, we have done our part; we do not have the power to change or replace candidates locally.
“We have formally sent these complaints to the party’s national headquarters and are waiting for their response. We hope this issue will be sorted out before it is too late,” Mr Muhammad told our reporter on the phone.
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