Chaos, Deadlock Stall ADC Jigawa Primaries After Marathon 48-Hour Battle

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) primaries in Jigawa State descended into confusion and political drama Wednesday morning as the party failed to produce winners more than 48 hours after voting commenced across the state.

What began on Monday as a routine primary election spiralled into a marathon of tension, disputes and late-night negotiations, forcing the party’s electoral committee to abruptly suspend the collation process at about 1:45 a.m.

At the heart of the deadlock is the fierce governorship battle between Hon. Adamu Jumbo and Senator Sabo Nakudu, a contest party insiders say has sharply divided delegates and power blocs across Jigawa.

Speaking at the packed collation centre at Tahir Hotel in Dutse, the state capital, Chairman of the ADC Electoral Committee, retired DIG Zaki Ahmed, admitted the process had been crippled by irregularities, threats of violence and internal party conflicts.

“We have results from 19 local governments out of 27 local governments. We are awaiting results from Kaugama, Auyo, Kazaure, Gwiwa, Hadejia, and Gwaram,” Ahmed announced.
He disclosed that serious disruptions were recorded in several local government areas.

“Babura, Hadejia and Gwaram are characterised by irregularities, threat of violence in Gwaram, malpractices in Hadejia and Babura ,and there was no election completely in Guri Local Government as a result of conflict between factional leaders,” he said.

The retired DIG subsequently suspended the exercise until after Eid prayers, fixing 2 p.m. for continuation of the process.
The development threw the collation venue into uncertainty as exhausted delegates, agents and supporters,many of whom had spent two nights awaiting declarations , reacted with frustration and anxiety.

Beyond the governorship contest, results for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and presidential primaries in Jigawa State also remain officially undeclared, deepening the uncertainty surrounding the entire exercise.
Sources within the party revealed that disagreements over results from strategic local government areas, particularly Roni, Auyo and Kazaure, further complicated the process.
Meanwhile, the credibility of outcomes from Babura, Hadejia and Gwaram has come under intense scrutiny following allegations of electoral malpractice and intimidation.

In Guri Local Government Area, the crisis was even more severe as party officials confirmed that no election was held at all due to clashes between rival factions within the ADC.

As tension continues to mount, party faithful and political observers are now waiting to see whether the suspended exercise will eventually produce a consensus outcome or plunge the party deeper into crisis ahead of the 2027 elections.