The African Democratic Congress in Jigawa State is facing a deepening internal crisis ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections as disputes over an alleged power sharing agreement and the substitution of candidates threaten party unity.

The disagreement involves ADC governorship candidate Sabo Mohammed Nakudu and party chieftain Bashir Adamu Jumbo, who contested against each other during the party's governorship primary.

The crisis intensified after Nakudu publicly rejected a purported agreement proposing a 60 to 40 sharing formula between the two political camps.

Separate controversy has emerged over changes to the party's list of candidates, with Jigawa ADC leaders saying about eight winners of legislative primaries were replaced.

NAKUDU REJECTS PURPORTED POWER SHARING DEAL

The dispute between Nakudu and Jumbo intensified following the circulation of a document purportedly outlining a political settlement between their factions.

The document reportedly proposed a 60 to 40 power sharing arrangement alongside agreements concerning the deputy governorship position and political appointments.

Nakudu categorically rejected the document in August.

He said he neither negotiated nor authorised the purported agreement and denied approving commitments concerning elective positions, appointments or the deputy governorship ticket.

Nakudu also threatened to pursue legal remedies against anyone found responsible for fabricating, altering or falsely attributing the document or his signature.

The disagreement followed a contentious governorship primary in which Jumbo challenged Nakudu's emergence.

Jumbo petitioned the party's election appeal committee and alleged irregularities, intimidation and interference in the primary process. Nakudu's camp has rejected the challenge.

DISPUTE SPREADS TO PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

The internal disagreement has also reached the ADC's presidential campaign in Jigawa.

Members aligned with Jumbo have accused Nakudu of failing to sufficiently campaign for ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

Nasiru Laraba, identified as a Jumbo loyalist, questioned during an appearance on Freedom Radio why Nakudu's campaign materials did not prominently feature Atiku.

He further accused political figures who recently joined the ADC of destabilising the party.

The allegations against Nakudu remain claims by the rival faction and do not establish that he is working against the ADC presidential campaign.

RUNNING MATE CHANGE ADDS TO CRISIS

The dispute has been further complicated by changes to the governorship ticket.

Earlier reports identified Aminu Ibrahim Ringim as Nakudu's running mate after he formally accepted the nomination in July and subsequently appeared publicly alongside the governorship candidate.

However, a national ADC candidate list published in September named Musa Ya'u Balarabe as Nakudu's deputy governorship candidate.

Jigawa ADC Chairman Sani Muhammad said the state leadership was concerned about the change and other candidate substitutions.

According to Muhammad, about eight people who won legislative primaries were replaced.

He identified Zakari Alhaji Sidi, who contested for the Hadejia, Kafin Hausa and Auyo federal constituency ticket, among those affected.

The chairman said substitutions were also reported in several state assembly constituencies, including Birnin Kudu, Taura, Yankwashi, Birniwa, Kaugama, Hadejia and Bulangu.

He said the state chapter had formally submitted its complaints to the ADC national leadership and was awaiting a response.

INTERNAL DISPUTES COMPLICATE ADC CAMPAIGN

The disagreements come as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.

Nakudu joined the ADC after leaving the ruling APC earlier this year and declared his intention to contest the Jigawa governorship election.

His candidacy has since been included on the ADC's national list of governorship candidates.

The immediate challenge for the party is resolving disagreements between rival factions and addressing complaints surrounding candidate substitutions as campaigning continues.

With the ADC seeking to challenge the ruling APC in Jigawa, unresolved disputes could affect efforts to present a unified campaign.