Jigawa ADC Challenges Candidate Substitutions, Says Court Action May Follow

The African Democratic Congress in Jigawa State is challenging changes to its 2027 election lineup after the electoral commission published candidate names that the party says do not match some of its submissions.

The most prominent dispute concerns Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, whom the ADC says it selected as running mate to governorship candidate Sabo Muhammad Nakudu. In the document released by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday, Ringim did not appear beside Nakudu. Musa Ya’u Balarabe was listed instead.

ADC Deputy State Chairman Nuraddeen Jidawa said the problem extends beyond the deputy governorship position. According to him, roughly seven other people backed by the party and forwarded to INEC are also absent from the published lineup. He identified affected contests as including Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa, Kaugama and Birnin Kudu constituencies.

Jidawa maintained that Ringim was the name the party formally submitted for the deputy governorship slot. He said the ADC would continue seeking a remedy through channels available under the law and the party’s constitution. He also alleged that the disputed changes were intended to weaken the ADC in Jigawa and elsewhere. That allegation represents the party official’s position and is not established as fact in the source.

Ringim confirmed that his name was missing when contacted by Punch but declined to discuss the matter further, referring questions to party officials. Attempts by the newspaper to reach Jigawa ADC chairman Sani Gumel were unsuccessful at the time the report was filed.

INEC, however, is standing by the document already published. Adamu Sawaba, the commission’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Jigawa, said the names displayed at the state headquarters constitute the commission’s final candidate lineup for the coming elections. He acknowledged that complaints had been received from some candidates and parties.

Sawaba said INEC cannot simply replace names after publication and advised those disputing the list to seek judicial intervention. According to his explanation, the commission would comply if a court subsequently ordered a change. He also suggested that the disagreement could be connected to requirements governing political party membership registration under the Electoral Act.

Jidawa said the ADC intends to continue pursuing the issue and asked members and supporters to remain calm while the party considers its options. The source does not report that the ADC has already obtained a court order or that INEC has agreed to restore Ringim or any of the other disputed candidates.