A leader of the African Democratic Congress in Jigawa State, Nasiru Laraba, has warned that the rise of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Mustapha Lamido, is a big threat to the ADC's chances in the 2027 elections.
PUNCH Online gathered that Laraba's warning came as political activities and campaigns ramp up across the country, including in Jigawa State, in preparation for the upcoming elections.
Laraba spoke during a special Hausa political program on Freedom Radio Dutse last Saturday.
He pointed out that the PDP is gaining strength and could hinder the ADC if the party's internal issues are not quickly resolved.
Laraba highlighted the large turnout at the inauguration of the 45-member PDP governorship campaign council last Friday as proof of the party's strength.
He said, "We saw what happened at the inauguration of the PDP campaign council. The turnout was massive, and that shows PDP is still very strong. That emergence is a threat to ADC."
The ADC leader admitted that the party is struggling with internal problems that are weakening its position in the state.
He blamed these issues on some party leaders who are putting their interests ahead of the party's.
Laraba noted that one major problem is the unresolved issue regarding the deputy governor position.
He explained that the party and its governorship candidate had chosen Aminu Ringim as running mate, but the Independent National Electoral Commission had already published a different name on its final candidate list.
"This deputy governor issue is yet to be resolved by the party. We have two faces now, and INEC has already posted one name, but our candidate remained silent. This is a confusion," Laraba stated.
He mentioned that this crisis has caused divisions among members and supporters in all 27 local government areas of the state.
Laraba also expressed concern over the neglect of the party's early members, including Hon. Adamu Jumbo.
He said Jumbo was one of the people who brought the ADC to Jigawa State and that he ran for the party's governorship ticket for 2027 but lost to Sabo Nakudu.
According to him, party leaders did not work to reconcile Jumbo and his supporters with the eventual candidate from the primary election.
"Adamu Jumbo is a founding father. He brought ADC to Jigawa. He contested and lost to Sabo Nakudu, but up till now nobody has reconciled him. His supporters are angry," he said.
Laraba noted that even though Jumbo has not taken any action against the party, his lack of response does not mean everything is fine.
He pointed out, "Jumbo has not fought the party; he did not go to court, he did not leave. But his people are not happy, and we have abandoned him."
The leader added that in addition to the deputy governor issue and the Jumbo situation, there are other factors that are hurting the party's chances.
He warned that if the crisis continues, the PDP will take advantage of ADC's internal divisions leading up to the 2027 elections.
Laraba called on the ADC's national and state leaders to step in quickly and settle the internal disputes to save the party.
He said, "If we don’t fix our house now, this PDP candidate will be a big threat to us. We must unite or we will lose before the election."
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