Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A major crisis is brewing within the Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the party’s senatorial primary election for the Kaduna North Senatorial District, as supporters of former Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari have rejected the outcome, demanded the outright cancellation of the exercise, and threatened to leave the party if their grievances are not addressed. The primary, held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, produced Senator Khalid Ibrahim Mustafa Soba as the winner, but the process has been plagued by controversy stemming from the alleged exclusion of Senator Kwari, who had reportedly been cleared by the party’s national screening committee.
The ADC Stakeholders Support Forum, Zone One (Kaduna North Senatorial District), in a statement released on Sunday, May 31, described the primary process as “flawed, unfair, and inconsistent with the party’s democratic guidelines.” The group condemned the declaration of Alhaji Khalid Mustapha as the senatorial candidate, insisting that the exercise failed to reflect transparency, fairness, and internal democracy. The stakeholders alleged that the emergence of the candidate was marred by irregularities, including the exclusion of Senator Kwari, who they claimed was unfairly denied the opportunity to participate. According to the stakeholders, Senator Kwari had already been screened and certified as qualified by the party’s national screening committee at the senate level, raising serious questions about the authority of the primary election committee to subsequently exclude him from the race.
While allegations of anti‑party activities were cited as justification for his exclusion, the stakeholders argued that such decisions do not fall within the powers of the primary election committee but rather the appropriate organs of the party leadership, in line with the ADC’s constitution and established procedures. The forum warned that failure to address the grievances could erode confidence in the party among members and supporters across Kaduna State, especially at a time when the ADC is seeking to expand its political influence. “Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to have been done,” the statement read, as the stakeholders formally rejected the outcome of the May 30 primary and called on the National Leadership of the ADC, the National Working Committee, and the Kaduna State Executive Committee to urgently review the conduct of the exercise and investigate all allegations of irregularities.
Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari, a former member of the 9th National Assembly who represented Kaduna North from 2019 to 2023, had resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on April 1, 2026, and formally defected to the ADC. In a post on his official X handle, he wrote: “I have formally resigned my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This decision reflects my continued commitment to public service, democratic participation, and national development.” His defection was seen as a major boost for the ADC in Kaduna State, given his political experience and grassroots following. The former senator had also served as Commissioner for Finance in Kaduna State.
However, the ADC’s Primary Elections Committee Chairman in Kaduna State, Mr. Ladan Salihu, announced at a press conference on Sunday, May 31, that Senator Khalid Ibrahim Mustafa Soba had emerged as the party’s candidate for Kaduna North Senatorial District, with the Returning Officer, Ibrahim Sidi Bamalli, declaring him winner after polling 83,070 votes in an “uncontested election.” The declaration effectively locked out Senator Kwari, despite his earlier clearance. The stakes in the district are high, as the APC has also concluded its primaries in Kaduna North, where former Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has emerged as the candidate, setting up a potentially competitive general election if the ADC can resolve its internal crisis.
In a strongly worded address to journalists, the stakeholders warned that failure to meet their demands could have serious consequences for party unity in Kaduna State. They threatened to leave the party if the national leadership fails to act on their demands and ensure fairness in the conduct of the senatorial primary process. The statement was signed by Alhaji Sani Abba, Dr Aminu Yahaya, Mathew Jonathan, and Mrs Maryam Mustapha on behalf of concerned stakeholders, party members, and supporters. The group argued that once an aspirant has been duly cleared through official screening, any attempt to disqualify such a candidate outside due process undermines internal democracy and party credibility. They insisted that the ADC must uphold its reputation as a party committed to justice, accountability, and democratic principles.
As of Monday, June 1, 2026, the ADC national leadership had not issued a formal response to the allegations. The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the party has also remained silent, while Senator Kwari has not yet made a public statement on his exclusion. Political observers in Kaduna note that the ADC, which is seeking to position itself as a credible opposition platform in the state, now faces a critical test of its internal democratic processes. If the party fails to resolve the dispute satisfactorily, it risks losing not only a key political figure but also a substantial base of supporters, potentially crippling its chances in the 2027 general elections. For the aggrieved stakeholders, the demand is clear: cancel the purported result, conduct a fresh and transparent primary, or risk watching the party they helped build fall apart before the race even begins.
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