Mikati's Camp Disputes Ashiru's Candidacy in Kaduna ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State is experiencing a significant internal crisis as supporters of governorship aspirant Hon. Idris Shuaibu Abubakar Mikati contest the issuance of a Certificate of Return to Hon. Isa Ashiru, who was declared the party's candidate for the 2027 governorship election on October 4, 2026. The Kaduna ADC Youth Vanguard, led by Usman Sani, described the certificate's issuance as procedurally flawed and urged the party's national leadership to reverse the decision.

They noted that Ashiru won the party's May 2026 governorship primary with 86,113 votes, but four aggrieved aspirants, including Mikati, appealed the outcome. The party's Electoral Appeal Committee, chaired by Dr Mustapha Fagge, reviewed the petitions and recognized Mikati as the rightful candidate.

The supporters alleged that the National Working Committee (NWC) had not convened to ratify the appeal committee's report before Ashiru received the certificate. Mikati has approached the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over the dispute, warning that submitting Ashiru's name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could lead to further legal challenges.