From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna
A House of Representatives (HoR) aspirant for the Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Barr. David Yisa Ndako Gbadafu, has petitioned the party’s national leadership to overturn the primary election results and declare him the rightful winner.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing, Barrister Gbadafu alleged that the collation process was heavily manipulated and marred by bribery to favor his opponent, Mohammed Abubakar (Abacon).
He claimed that raw results from the individual local government areas showed him in a clear lead, but the figures were altered when they reached the party’s state secretariat.
“There were clear allegations of bribery and other sentiments against those who compiled and announced the result,” he stated.
Reaffirming his loyalty to the party, he added, “I believe in the competence of our national leadership to do the needful.
“We will pursue this until justice is attained.” He warned that the national leadership must intervene swiftly before the internal dispute escalates and ruins the ADC’s prospects in the 2027 general elections.”
Corroborating the aspirant’s claims, the Media Coordinator for the campaign, Jibrin Saidu, pointed out glaring irregularities during the final announcement.
Saidu alleged that the returning officer initially announced 9,000 votes for Gbadafu, but later arbitrarily revised the figure down to 6,000.
Furthermore, Saidu alleged that the campaign possessed credible intelligence regarding financial inducements.
He claimed that a sum exceeding N20 million changed hands on involving certain state executives and stakeholders to engineer a victory for a candidate who did not win on the field.
“The people, delegates, and party faithful across Bida, Gbako, and Katcha are fully aware that Barr. David Yisa Ndako Gbadafu legitimately won the primary election through a transparent and democratic process,” Saidu insisted.
Warning that subverting the will of the delegates undermines democracy and stains the ADC’s image, the campaign threatened to mobilize peaceful protests across Niger State and the federal capital if the decision is not reversed.
Saidu concluded by reminding stakeholders that the constituency prides itself on unity and development, noting that the Nupe people have coexisted peacefully for generations across religious lines.
He urged those stoking division for selfish political gains to desist, stressing that “the voice of the people must prevail over personal interests, financial inducements, or political conspiracies.”
