The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State has protested the omission of its endorsed deputy governorship candidate, Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, and seven other candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list for the 2027 general elections.
Ringim, who was nominated as the running mate to the party’s governorship candidate, Sabo Muhammad Nakudu, was replaced on the published list by Musa Ya’u Balarabe.
The omission was confirmed by the ADC Deputy State Chairman, Nuraddeen Jidawa, during a telephone interview with PUNCH Online on Sunday.
Jidawa said the party had submitted Ringim’s name to INEC in accordance with the electoral guidelines but was surprised to discover that the commission’s final list contained a different name.
He added that about seven other candidates endorsed by the party for various constituencies were also missing from the list.
“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,” Jidawa said.
He maintained that the party would continue engaging INEC through legal means to address the omissions, adding that constitutional and electoral guidelines must be respected.
Jidawa described the development as a source of concern for the party, alleging that the omissions could destabilise the ADC in Jigawa and other parts of the country.
He said the party would continue to pursue the matter, particularly concerning candidates contesting in constituencies including Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa, Kaugama and Birnin Kudu.
The ADC expressed hope that the disagreements would be resolved through the courts, while urging its members and supporters to remain calm as efforts continued.
However, INEC maintained that the list displayed at its Jigawa State headquarters in Dutse was the final list for the forthcoming elections.
The commission’s Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Adamu Sawaba, told PUNCH Online that INEC had received complaints concerning some candidates but could not alter the published list outside the provisions of the law.
“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,” Sawaba said.
He advised aggrieved candidates and political parties to seek redress in court, explaining that the commission would comply with any valid court decision directing a change.
Sawaba also suggested that the disputes might be connected to provisions governing political party membership registration under the Electoral Act.
