Kano ADC leaders insist on Ibrahim Khalil for 2027 governorship, reject alleged Naja’atu’s interference

Prominent leaders and stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State have reaffirmed their support for Malam Ibrahim Khalil as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election, while accusing a national party officer of interfering in the affairs of the state chapter.

The endorsement was contained in a position paper submitted to the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, by members of the Expanded State Interim Leadership Team (ESILT) and other stakeholders.

According to the group, Khalil emerged victorious in the party’s governorship primary election held on May 22, 2026, polling 55,851 votes against his opponent’s 4,000 votes.

The stakeholders insisted that the outcome of the primary election must be respected, warning that any attempt to undermine the result could damage the party’s credibility and electoral prospects in Kano State.

“The election was clear: there was a winner and a loser. Our endorsement is not just about the primary results but a strategic decision based on Kano’s political history and local peculiarities,” the leaders stated.

They argued that Kano occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s political landscape and maintained that Khalil possesses the capacity to strengthen the party’s support base ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group cited what it described as Khalil’s grassroots appeal among youths, women and religious communities, as well as his longstanding commitment to the ADC.

They described him as a founding member of the party’s Legacy Group who played a key role in building and sustaining its structures in the state.

The stakeholders further portrayed Khalil as a unifying figure capable of attracting support across religious and political divides.

The leaders, however, expressed strong opposition to what they termed the “undue and unwarranted interference” of Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammed, former Deputy National Chairman (Values and Ethics), in the affairs of the Kano chapter.

They alleged that she attempted to influence the conduct and outcome of the primary election by directing the chairman of the election committee not to announce the results and by replacing recognised stakeholders with individuals loyal to her.

“Being a national officer does not confer the power to dictate the affairs of a local chapter arbitrarily. The ADC Constitution defines the powers of each organ, and no provision empowers the Deputy National Chairman to superintend over state chapters,” the statement read.

The stakeholders also argued that the office previously occupied by Naja’atu Muhammed no longer exists in a substantive legal form following constitutional amendments and decisions of the party’s National Executive Committee.

According to them, any action taken under the authority of that office is “unlawful, constitutionally invalid, and must be treated as such.”

Responding to concerns over Khalil’s financial strength ahead of the election, the group said Kano’s political history had shown that electoral success was not always determined by wealth.

“If history teaches us anything, it is that Kano’s electorate has repeatedly shown a willingness to look beyond wealth and choose candidates based on character, integrity, and principles,” they said.

The stakeholders called on the national leadership of the party to halt what they described as interference in Kano State affairs, warning that failure to do so could create divisions capable of affecting the ADC’s performance in future elections.

“The Kano State ADC is firmly resolved that Malam Ibrahim Khalil’s mandate must be respected. We will no longer tolerate interference or cooperate with her on any party assignment, no matter who issues such a directive,” the leaders declared.

The position paper was signed by former ADC Kano chairman, Alhaji Musa Shu’aibu Ungogo; party leader, Dr. Akilu Sani Indabawa; Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Mabo; Dr. Auwalu Anwar; Hon. Nasiru Baballe Ila; Hon. Nasiru Adahama; and the party’s Administrative Secretary in Kano State, Dr. Bala M.I. Takai, on behalf of members of the Expanded State Interim Leadership