ADC Suspends Jigawa Primaries Collation Indefinitely Over Violence, Irregularities

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has suspended the collation of its primary election results in Jigawa State indefinitely following reports of violence, irregularities and internal disputes.

The Chief Returning Officer, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Zaki Ahmed, announced the suspension at the collation centre in Dutse, saying unresolved complaints made it impossible to continue the exercise.

Ahmed said results had been received from 19 out of 27 local government areas, while submissions were still pending from Auyo, Roni and Kazaure LGAs.

He explained that the process was disrupted by malpractice allegations in several areas, as well as threats of violence in Gwaram and a complete absence of voting in Guri due to factional conflict.

“There were reports of irregularities and malpractice… Because of these developments, we have decided to suspend the collation exercise,” he said.

The exercise, which began across Jigawa’s 27 LGAs, reportedly became chaotic with accusations of intimidation, factional rivalry, cancellation of results and disruption of voting.

A governorship contest between Hon. Adamu Jumbo and Senator Sabo Nakudu, who recently defected to the ADC from the APC, was identified as a major source of tension.

An election observer, Dayyabu Musa, said the suspension followed days of political horse-trading and accusations of manipulation by rival camps.

He described a tense atmosphere at the collation centre, with security operatives deployed to maintain order.

Despite the suspension, Ahmed said the collation would resume after the Eid-el-Kabir break, with officials expected to reconvene at 2pm to continue the process.

The crisis reflects broader concerns about internal democracy and factional struggles within opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.