ADC in Jigawa Protests INEC's Exclusion of Ringim, Seven Candidates

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State has voiced strong dissatisfaction regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) final compilation of candidates for the 2027 general elections. The party's nominated deputy governorship aspirant, Aminu Ringim, was noticeably absent from the list, which INEC published on Saturday. Instead, Musa Ya’u Balarabe's name appeared as the running mate, a decision the ADC maintains is contrary to its official submission. When contacted, Mr. Ringim verified his exclusion but chose not to elaborate, referring inquiries to party officials.

A correspondent from PUNCH Online, who visited the INEC state headquarters in Dutse, the capital, on Sunday, observed the final candidate list displayed publicly. The document showed Sabo Muhammad Nakudu as the ADC's governorship candidate, paired with a running mate whose nomination the party is actively contesting. Attempts to get an official statement from the party's state chairman, Sani Gumel, proved unsuccessful as numerous calls to his phone went unanswered at the time of this report.

However, Nuraddeen Jidawa, the ADC Deputy State Chairman, confirmed Mr. Ringim’s absence from the list during a telephone interview on Sunday. Jidawa further revealed that approximately seven other candidates, formally endorsed by the party and submitted to INEC according to electoral guidelines, were also missing from the final publication.

He stated, “As far as the party is concerned, Aminu Ibrahim Ringim remains the name officially submitted to INEC as running mate to its gubernatorial candidate, Sabo Muhammad Nakudu. The party doesn’t consider the released list as final. We will continue to reach out to the electoral umpire through any legal means.” Jidawa emphasized that while the party harboured no ill will against any of its members, adherence to constitutional guidelines was paramount.

He conveyed the ADC's profound dissatisfaction with the candidate list issued by INEC for the upcoming 2027 general elections. Jidawa characterized the development as a deliberate strategy aimed at destabilizing the party, not only within Jigawa State but nationwide. He pledged continued engagement with the commission regarding the exclusion of the party's endorsed deputy governorship candidate and other contenders across seven constituencies, which include Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa, Kaugama, and Birnin Kudu.

Attributing the confusion to INEC, he expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved through the judiciary, aligning with both the party's constitution and the Electoral Act. He appealed to party members, supporters, and all well-meaning Nigerians to maintain composure and unity as efforts continued to address what he termed as “irregularities under the current APC administration.”

Conversely, Adamu Sawaba, the Head of Department for Voter Education and Publicity at INEC Jigawa State, affirmed that the list displayed at the commission’s headquarters on Saturday stands as the definitive list for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking to PUNCH Online via telephone on Sunday, Sawaba declared, “The list we pasted yesterday (Saturday) is the final list as far as the electoral process is concerned for the coming 2027 general elections.” He acknowledged that the commission had indeed received grievances concerning certain candidates’ names. “Yes, we heard and have been approached with some complaints regarding the names of a few candidates vying for positions in the 2027 general elections in the state, but this list is the final as INEC works are guided by law,” he explained.

According to Sawaba, aggrieved candidates and political parties are advised to pursue legal action. He elaborated, “So, any aggrieved candidates, parties or persons regarding the list can only go to court, as the court is the final determiner of every disagreement. When the court accepts their prayers, INEC is ever ready to accept and comply with that, but we don’t have the right to alter names.” Furthermore, the departmental head hinted that the situation might be connected to the mandatory party membership registration stipulated in the approved Electoral Act.