The presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) for the 2027 general election, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, has alleged an attempt to substitute his name, offering a reason for the move.
The presidential candidate warned against schemes to substitute his name to pave the way for a single candidate from the North.
Abbas made the allegation in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, on Friday.
He said: “Any attempt to secretly substitute, withdraw, replace or otherwise compromise my candidacy without my express consent and without strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the ADP, and applicable INEC procedures would constitute a grave assault on democratic principles and the rights of our members and supporters.”
According to the statement, titled: “No to secret substitution of my presidential mandate: Protect the integrity of the ADP,” the presidential candidate was quoted as having said: “I have become aware of serious political pressure allegedly being mounted on the National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, by a Presidential candidate from an opposition political party, with the apparent objective of secretly substituting my name as the substantive Presidential Candidate of the ADP in the 2027 General Elections.
“The alleged motive is nothing short of an attempt to create a single Presidential candidate from Northern Nigeria by eliminating competing democratic voices through political manipulation rather than through the ballot box.
“Let me state this clearly: Nigeria’s democracy cannot be held hostage by the personal ambitions of any individual or political establishment.”
Ambassador Abbas explained that he emerged through the constitutionally and democratically recognised processes of his political party.
He said: “My mandate is not a personal possession of any individual, neither is it a political bargaining chip to be traded behind closed doors.”
He therefore called on Sani, the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, all State Chairmen, party leaders, and every genuine stakeholder of the ADP to rise above political pressure, intimidation, and personal interests to protect the integrity of the party.
He added: “The ADP must not become an instrument for the ambition of any individual, regardless of how powerful or influential that individual may be.
“Our party belongs to its members.
“Our mandate belongs to the people.
“And our democracy belongs to Nigeria.”
Abbas urged the National Chairman and the entire leadership of the ADP to preserve all official records relating to the presidential primary, nomination, submission, and communication with INEC, and ensure that no alteration is made outside the lawful and transparent processes prescribed by the party’s constitution and Nigeria’s electoral law.
