Jigawa ADC wants Nakudu replaced as governorship candidate over alleged ICPC indictment

The Jigawa State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has petitioned the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, seeking the immediate replacement of its governorship candidate over allegations that he was indicted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the alleged diversion of constituency project funds.

The petition, written by Abubakar Sani and Ibrahim Maijamaa, both members of the ADC in Jigawa State, read in part, “With a heavy sense of commitment and responsibility to our great Party, we, the bonafide registered members of the Party from Gwaram Local Government Chapter of Jigawa State seek the indulgence of your good offices to forward our petition against Sen Sabo Nakudu.”

The petitioners said it had become public knowledge that Senator Sabo Nakudu, who represented the Jigawa South-West Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023, was indicted for allegedly short-changing his constituency, according to the ICPC Report Phase II (Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI)).

According to the report cited by the Jigawa ADC, the ICPC recovered public funds totalling N2.8 billion from Senator Sabo Nakudu and two others. It added that, apart from the recovered funds, the commission also recovered two Hilux trucks, hundreds of water pumping machines, motorcycles and drilling rigs from two companies allegedly owned by Senator Sabo and operated by his brothers.

The petitioners stated, “It is in view of the foregoing incontrovertible and damaging indictment against Sen. Sabo Nakudu, that we wish to draw your attention on the dangers of allowing him to become the anointed ADC Gubernatorial Candidate for Jigawa State in the forthcoming 2027 General elections as it would be an exercise in futility.”

They further alleged that Sabo, while serving as an APC senator, escaped prosecution but, now that he is an indicted member of the main opposition party in the state and the country at large, the ruling APC could frustrate the ADC’s determination to win power in Jigawa State despite the party’s growing popularity.

When contacted by telephone, Sabo Nakudu said he had not seen the petition and could not comment on a document he had not read.