ADC says Kano governorship aspirant unlikely to secure ticket over Tinubu support

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said one of its governorship aspirants in Kano State, Ibrahim Khalil, is unlikely to emerge as the party’s candidate ahead of the 2027 elections because of his alleged support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Monday, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North West), Naja’atu Mohammed, said Khalil had openly shown support for President Tinubu on several occasions, raising concerns about his commitment to the ADC.

According to her, the party’s seven-member consensus committee, led by Ben Obi, would find it difficult to endorse any aspirant whose loyalty to the ADC’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is in doubt.

“He has publicly declared support for President Tinubu in the past and even now,” Mohammed said.

She added that, given the current economic and security challenges facing northern Nigeria, it would be difficult for many people in the region to support any politician believed to be aligned with the Tinubu administration.

“No fair-minded Northerner would want to politically associate with any aspirant or candidate perceived to be loyal to President Tinubu,” she said.

Mohammed argued that the North has experienced increasing hardship, hunger and insecurity in recent years, claiming the situation has left many families devastated.

She also dismissed reports suggesting that she alone was responsible for the party’s decision not to back Ibrahim Khalil for the governorship ticket.

“I am only a member of the consensus committee assigned to handle the task,” she said.

At the same event, Mohammed announced the inauguration of a new caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the ADC in Kano State.

The committee is headed by Umar Bala as caretaker chairman, with Ismail Musa Ibrahim serving as secretary. Other members include Lawal Adamu Giginyu as publicity secretary and Barrister Mohammed Lawal Adamu as the party’s legal adviser.