By Jelili Gbadamosi
The crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has taken a new turn, as three aggrieved party candidates have accused some members of allegedly forging documents to suggest that they voluntarily withdrew from the 2027 electoral race.
The candidates—Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu Fakai, Muhammad Umar and Nafiu Bello Shuwa—are challenging in court their alleged replacement after emerging as candidates during the party’s primaries.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the trio dismissed claims that they were sponsored to create problems for the ADC or undermine its governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami.
They said their decision to approach the courts was aimed at reclaiming what they described as their mandates, insisting that they remained committed to the party.
“For clarification’s sake, we are not fighting Malami, ADC, or anybody, but we remain undeterred in our legal struggle to reclaim our stolen mandates by the alleged forgers in our party,” they said.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Fakai said allegations that they were being sponsored would not stop them from pursuing their cases through lawful means.
He maintained that the three candidates remained valid candidates and had only exercised their constitutional right to seek redress through the courts.
Fakai alleged that affidavits and other documents were forged to create the impression that the candidates had voluntarily withdrawn their candidacies.
He described the alleged forgery as more than an internal disagreement within the party, arguing that such an act, if established, could constitute a criminal offence.
The candidates also accused individuals claiming to support Malami and the ADC of taking actions that could deepen divisions within the party and weaken its chances in the forthcoming election.
Despite the dispute, Fakai and the other candidates reaffirmed their loyalty to the ADC, stressing that their legal battle was directed at addressing what they considered an injustice and not at destroying the party.
The development has further heightened tensions within the Kebbi chapter of the ADC as the affected candidates continue to seek judicial resolution over their alleged replacement.
