The legal battle rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State took a fresh twist on Saturday as three aggrieved candidates dismissed allegations that they were fighting the party or its governorship candidate, Abubakar Chika Malami.
The candidates — Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu Fakai, Muhammad Umar and Nafiu Bello Shuwa — said their court action was strictly aimed at reclaiming what they described as their stolen mandates following their alleged unlawful replacement after emerging winners in legally conducted party primaries.
The trio is currently in court challenging their alleged replacement, amid claims by some party members that they were being sponsored to cause crisis and weaken the chances of Malami in the 2027 governorship election.
But in a joint statement signed by the three candidates on Saturday, they described the allegations as fictitious, baseless and a desperate attempt by individuals they accused of forging affidavits and other documents purportedly showing that they voluntarily withdrew their candidatures.
“For clarification sake, we are not fighting Malami, ADC or anybody, but we remain undeterred in our legal struggle to reclaim our stolen mandates from the alleged forgers in our party whom we believe are not after the success of our party,” they said.
Speaking on behalf of the trio, Fakai said no amount of alleged mischief or claims that they were being sponsored would deter them from pursuing justice before a competent court.
He maintained that, as candidates who emerged from what they described as legally conducted party primaries, they had the right to seek redress under the laws of the country and the party.
Fakai alleged that the purported forging of affidavits went beyond an internal party dispute, describing it as a criminal matter punishable under the law.
He accused those claiming to be working in the interest of Malami and the party of being responsible for actions capable of creating crisis within the ADC and undermining the party’s electoral chances.
“Those claiming to love Malami and the party are the ones desperately working to cause crisis in the party and shrink his chances,” he said.
The aggrieved candidates reaffirmed their loyalty to the ADC, its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and other members of the party.
They insisted that their legal action was not targeted at Malami or any other party leader but was solely aimed at ensuring justice over their disputed candidatures.
The trio vowed to remain resolute in their court battle, insisting that they would pursue all legal avenues to reclaim their mandates.
