ADC youth wing seeks probe of alleged primary election irregularities in 23 states

The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has called for an independent investigation into allegations of irregularities in the party’s primary elections across more than 23 states.

The youth wing alleged that petitions and documentary evidence submitted by aggrieved aspirants raised concerns over the manipulation of candidate nominations and the alleged involvement of some party officials in improper financial dealings.

Speaking at a national press conference on Monday, the ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, urged the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, to immediately establish an independent and transparent review mechanism to investigate all complaints arising from the primaries.

Mr Rufai said the allegations, if established following an independent investigation, would amount to serious violations of the party’s constitution, internal democratic principles and the trust reposed in the party’s leadership by its members.

He said the party’s primary elections had generated widespread expectations among members, aspirants and young Nigerians, many of whom believed the exercise would demonstrate the ADC’s commitment to fairness, transparency and internal democracy.

According to him, aspirants invested personal resources in their campaigns, supporters travelled across states and local government areas, while party volunteers committed time and effort to the electoral process in the expectation that legitimate votes and mandates would be respected.

However, he said the optimism that accompanied the primaries had been replaced by concerns over allegations that some aspects of the nomination process may have been compromised.

“The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress can no longer remain silent in the face of serious allegations that strike at the very foundation of the values we have asked Nigerians to believe in,” Mr Rufai said.

“We had every reason to expect that our internal processes would reflect the principles we preach. Instead, credible complaints have emerged suggesting that, in some instances, those principles may have been compromised.

“If these allegations are true, then those affected deserve justice, our members deserve answers, and our party deserves the courage to confront the truth.”

Mr Rufai said the youth wing had received petitions accompanied by documents alleging that some party officials accepted improper financial inducements to alter candidate nominations in more than 23 states.

He said formal petitions had also been submitted to the party’s Legal Department by the party’s Appeal Committee and some aggrieved aspirants but alleged that the complaints had not received adequate attention.

“It is on record that formal petitions were already submitted directly to the Legal Department by the party-constituted Appeal Committee, as well as aggrieved party aspirants, yet regrettably, nothing was done to address these clear breaches,” he said.

The youth leader said the youth wing had obtained official records, petitions and correspondence submitted by affected party members and would review and compile verified complaints for presentation to the appropriate organs of the party.

He said some aspirants had resigned from the party following the disputed nomination processes, while others had approached the courts after losing confidence in the party’s internal dispute-resolution mechanisms.

According to him, several other aggrieved members had remained in the party and were awaiting a response from its leadership.

“Behind every petition is a person who invested hope, time, resources and the confidence of their supporters in this process,” he said.

“Today, some have resigned from the party they helped to build. Others have turned to the courts because they believe they have nowhere else to seek redress. Many remain within our ranks, waiting patiently for their concerns to be heard.”

Mr Rufai warned that unresolved complaints could weaken members’ confidence in the party’s internal processes and threaten the unity required as the party prepares for the 2027 general election.

He said the allegations could also affect the party’s public image and its ability to present itself as a credible opposition platform.

“This uncertainty threatens our standing as the largest opposition force on the continent. The Youth Wing will not stand by while the collective effort of millions of loyal members is undermined,” he said.

Mr Rufai said the youth wing’s demand for an investigation was not intended to protect any individual or settle political disputes but to safeguard the integrity of the party.

He argued that party officials with no involvement in the alleged irregularities should support an independent review, noting that transparency would strengthen the party and help address growing suspicion among members.

“We call for immediate, transparent and decisive action,” he said.

“The National Working Committee must establish an independent review process to examine every complaint promptly and fairly.”

The youth leader said any party official found, after a fair and independent investigation, to have manipulated the nomination process or accepted improper inducements should face disciplinary measures under the ADC constitution.

He added that cases involving credible evidence of criminal conduct should be referred to relevant law enforcement agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

Mr Rufai also asked aggrieved aspirants in the country’s 36 states to submit their petitions and supporting materials directly to the Office of the National Youth Leader.

He said the materials could include official delegate tallies, video recordings, written records and other evidence relating to the disputed primary elections.

“To every aggrieved aspirant across the 36 states, your concerns will be heard,” he said.

“Gather your petitions, official delegate tallies, video evidence and written records. Submit them directly to the Office of the National Youth Leader.

“The National Youth Wing will compile every verified complaint and ensure that it is presented to the appropriate organs of the party.”

Mr Rufai said the youth wing remained committed to the ideals of the ADC and supported the party’s presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, as well as candidates validly nominated across the country.

He said the party could only become stronger by upholding transparency, accountability and adherence to its internal rules.

“Our loyalty to the African Democratic Congress remains firm because our loyalty is rooted in its ideals,” he said.

“We stand solidly behind our presidential ticket of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and Right Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, as well as all our validly nominated candidates nationwide.

“We believe this party is strongest when it is transparent, accountable and faithful to its own rules.”

The youth leader said political parties could not demand public trust in their commitment to democracy while failing to uphold democratic principles within their own organisations.

He called on the party’s leadership to take action against any individual found responsible for the alleged irregularities and urged the current leadership to resign if it was unable to address the complaints and restore confidence in the party.

“No political party can ask Nigerians to trust its commitment to democracy if it is unwilling to defend democracy within its own house,” he said.

“It is high time that if the current leadership of the party cannot bring the perpetrators of these gross injustices to book, then they must resign and make way for those ready to restore integrity to our party.”

Mr Rufai said the ADC Youth Wing Legal Advisers, chaired by I.U. Wali and Juliet Laba, would work with aggrieved aspirants to ensure that their complaints were pursued through the party’s internal mechanisms and other lawful channels.

He said the youth wing would continue to press for a transparent resolution of the disputes while maintaining its support for the party’s leadership, presidential ticket and candidates across the country.