As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kaduna State, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finds itself confronting what many observers describe as the most significant internal challenge in its recent history.
Rather than focusing solely on capitalising on growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party is increasingly being called upon to first resolve lingering questions surrounding its governorship ticket and demonstrate its commitment to internal democracy.
The controversy follows the party’s gubernatorial primary election, which initially produced Rt. Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan as the winner. However, the outcome has remained contentious following reports that the party’s National Appeal Panel reviewed petitions submitted by aspirants, examined the available evidence and declared Mallam Shuaibu Idris Mikati, as the lawful governorship candidate.
The apparent delay by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in taking a definitive position on the matter has generated unease among party members and supporters, many of whom believe the uncertainty could weaken the ADC’s chances ahead of the 2027 polls.
Political observers note that for a party positioning itself as a credible alternative to both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), unresolved disputes over candidate legitimacy could undermine public confidence and distract attention from policy issues.
Many supporters argue that retaining Isa Ashiru as the party’s standard bearer could prove politically costly, particularly given his previous governorship contests.
Ashiru has contested for the governorship position on several occasions.
After losing the APC governorship primary to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai in 2014, he defected to the PDP, where he subsequently secured the party’s governorship ticket twice. Despite those opportunities, victory at the polls remained elusive.
Following each election, Ashiru pursued legal challenges through the Election Petition Tribunal and up to the Supreme Court, but none altered the officially declared election outcomes.
For some party members, that electoral history raises questions about whether presenting the same candidate once again would significantly improve the ADC’s electoral prospects in 2027.
Beyond his electoral record, recent political developments have generated further debate within the party.
A leaked audio recording attributed to Ashiru has circulated widely in political circles. Some party members have interpreted the recording as suggesting that the ADC was viewed primarily as a platform for pursuing personal political ambition rather than as a political institution built on enduring principles and collective ideals
Although interpretations of the recording vary, critics argue that such perceptions could affect grassroots confidence in the party’s leadership.
Political analysts maintain that successful political parties are often strengthened when their leaders openly demonstrate loyalty to the party and commitment to its long-term development rather than appearing to treat it as a temporary electoral vehicle.
Ashiru’s reported meeting with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has also attracted attention.
While consultations among political actors remain a normal feature of democratic politics, some party members believe the optics surrounding the visit and the subsequent circulation of photographs have raised additional questions about political judgment and strategy.
Critics argue that the decision to publicly share photographs taken with an individual facing legal challenges created unnecessary controversy, while others insist political consultations should not be interpreted as evidence of wrongdoing.
Questions have also resurfaced regarding Ashiru’s academic credentials, following allegations reportedly raised during the PDP governorship primary contest in 2019 by fellow aspirant Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, popularly known as Mainan Zazzau.
Although those issues have not resulted in any legal disqualification, some stakeholders believe the ADC should carefully assess any matter capable of becoming a campaign distraction during what is expected to be a fiercely contested governorship election.
Meanwhile, public discourse across Kaduna State has increasingly focused on governance issues, including economic hardship, insecurity, infrastructure deficits and the rising cost of living.
Many analysts believe these concerns have created political opportunities for opposition parties, particularly the ADC, provided the party succeeds in presenting a united front backed by a credible candidate and a clear policy agenda.
Supporters of Mallam Shuaibu Idris Mikati argue that he represents such an alternative.
They describe him as an experienced technocrat with the capacity to unite Kaduna’s diverse ethnic and religious communities while offering practical solutions to the state’s developmental challenges.
His supporters further portray him as intellectually grounded, forward-looking and capable of building a broad political consensus across different sections of the state.
According to them, Kaduna requires leadership that reflects competence, inclusiveness and innovation rather than a continuation of familiar political contests.
For the ADC, therefore, the challenge extends beyond selecting a governorship candidate.
The party must demonstrate that it respects its own internal processes and possesses the discipline expected of a political platform seeking to govern one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states.
Some stakeholders have warned that failure to resolve the dispute promptly could trigger prolonged legal battles capable of distracting the party throughout the campaign season.
Others have drawn parallels with previous electoral disputes in other states where unresolved party primaries ultimately affected electoral participation and outcomes.
As Kaduna prepares for another election cycle, many observers believe the coming weeks may determine whether the ADC emerges as a formidable opposition force or allows internal disagreements to erode the goodwill generated by public dissatisfaction with the incumbent administration.
For many party faithful, the moment calls for decisive leadership, adherence to due process and respect for the recommendations of the party’s internal appeal mechanism.
Ultimately, the decision before the ADC could shape not only its fortunes in the 2027 governorship election but also its reputation as a party committed to democratic principles, internal justice and political renewal in Kaduna State.
By: Enite Benjamin
