ADP nomination crisis deepens as Chukwuka challenges Aliyu’s 2027 candidacy

By Jude Opara

The crisis over the African Democratic Party’s (ADP) 2027 presidential ticket has taken a new turn, with one of the party’s presidential aspirants asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to invalidate the nomination of Abbas-Bin Aliyu.

Dr Johnson Chukwuka, who contested for the ADP presidential ticket, is challenging the process through which Aliyu emerged as the party’s candidate, alleging that the primary election said to have produced him was not validly conducted.

In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1853/2026, Chukwuka is asking the court to declare that the ADP failed to conduct a valid presidential primary on May 29 and 30, 2026.

He is also challenging the subsequent declaration of Aliyu as the winner and the submission of his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Chukwuka contends that the process breached several provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, including Sections 29, 77, 84, 86 and 88, as well as the ADP’s own rules governing the conduct of its primaries.

The plaintiff is consequently asking the court to nullify the purported primary results and declare him the duly elected presidential candidate of the party.

He is further seeking an order compelling INEC to remove Aliyu’s name from its notice board and recognize him as the ADP’s presidential candidate.

The legal challenge comes amid a separate controversy within the ADP over an alleged unauthorized upload of a presidential nomination form on the INEC portal.

The party had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as suspected forgery, falsification and illegal submission of its presidential candidate’s nomination documents.

According to the party, the disputed form was allegedly prepared and uploaded by Fatima Mustapha, a former staff member and former INEC liaison officer whose authority to handle candidate-upload matters had previously been withdrawn.

The ADP said the alleged action was carried out without the approval or mandate of the appropriate organs of the party, raising concerns about possible electoral and cybercrime violations.

The party has also approached INEC, requesting the commission to preserve the electronic audit trail, login information and IP addresses connected to the disputed upload.

It wants the commission to investigate the transaction and take appropriate steps to address any consequences arising from the alleged unauthorized submission.

In another development, an internal memorandum dated September 2, 2026, reportedly signed by the party’s National Chairman, asked Aliyu to explain in writing whether he had any knowledge of or involvement in the disputed upload.

Chukwuka’s legal team has linked the controversies surrounding the nomination process to its court challenge, arguing that they reinforce their claim that Aliyu’s emergence was not in accordance with the law and the party’s rules.

The aspirant is urging the judiciary and INEC to ensure that the 2027 presidential nomination process complies strictly with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the ADP’s internal guidelines.

The case now places the ADP’s presidential ticket under judicial scrutiny, with the outcome potentially determining who will be recognized as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.