The crisis rocking the senator David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a fresh turn on Wednesday, as the party’s National Youth Wing demanded an independent investigation into alleged irregularities that marred its primary elections across the country.
The youth wing also insisted that any party leaders found culpable should immediately resign from their positions.
The ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai, disclosed this in Abuja, during a press briefing, said the party’s youth wing could no longer remain silent over allegations that, if proven, would undermine the party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency and fairness.
The youth leader urged the National Working Committee to immediately establish an independent review panel to investigate all complaints arising from the primaries.
The youth wing said it had received petitions from aspirants across 23 states alleging manipulation of candidate nominations, financial inducements and other breaches of the party’s constitution, warning that failure to address the complaints could undermine the ADC’s credibility as Nigeria’s leading opposition platform.
Rufai said: “Only a few Months ago, thousands of party members across our wards, local governments, and states celebrated what many believed would mark another important chapter in the democratic journey of our great party.
“Aspirants invested their personal resources, supporters travelled long distances, volunteers gave countless hours, and young Nigerians stood shoulder to shoulder with hope that every legitimate vote and every genuine mandate would be respected.
“For many, the primary election was more than a contest for party tickets. It was a test of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and internal democracy. Today, that hope has been overshadowed by deep concern.”
Rufai disclosed that formal petitions had already been submitted to the party’s Legal Department by the Appeal Committee constituted by the party, as well as by aggrieved aspirants, but lamented that no action had been taken.
He said thousands of party members had participated in the primary elections believing the process would reflect the party’s democratic ideals, but noted that the exercise had instead generated widespread dissatisfaction among aspirants.
He added, “If these allegations are true, then those affected deserve justice, our members deserve answers, and our party deserves the courage to confront the truth. We have received petitions supported by documentary evidence alleging that some party officials accepted improper financial inducements to alter candidate nominations across over twenty-three states.
“It is on record that formal petitions were already submitted directly to the Legal Department by the party-constituted Appeal Committee as well as aggrieved party aspirants, yet regrettably, nothing was done to address these clear breaches.
“If these allegations are established through an independent investigation, they would represent a grave violation of our party’s constitution, democratic principles, and the trust of our members. We now hold official records, petitions, and correspondence submitted by affected members for review.
“Behind every petition is a person who invested hope, time, resources, and the confidence of their supporters in this process. Today, some have resigned from the party they helped to build.
“Others have turned to the courts because they believe they have nowhere else to seek redress. Many remain within our ranks, waiting patiently for their concerns to be heard. Their disappointment should concern every leader who believes in justice and fairness.
“Every unresolved complaint weakens confidence in our internal processes and places unnecessary strain on the unity we need ahead of the general election. This uncertainty threatens our standing as the largest opposition force on the continent. The Youth Wing will not stand by while the collective effort of millions of loyal members is undermined.
“As the voice of the largest demographic within our party, we have a responsibility to speak when the confidence of our members is at stake. This is not about protecting individuals or settling political scores. It is about protecting the integrity of our party. Every honest official should welcome an independent review because transparency strengthens institutions, while silence only fuels suspicion.
“We call for immediate, transparent, and decisive action. The National Working Committee must establish an independent review process to examine every complaint promptly and fairly.
“Any official found, after a fair and independent investigation, to have manipulated the nomination process or accepted improper inducements must face the full disciplinary measures provided under the party’s constitution. Where credible evidence indicates criminal conduct, the matter should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.”
Rufai also called on aggrieved aspirants across the 36 states to submit their petitions, delegate tallies, video evidence and other supporting documents to the Office of the National Youth Leader for compilation and presentation to the appropriate organs of the party.
Despite the controversy, he reaffirmed the youth wing’s loyalty to the ADC and declared support for the party’s presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, alongside all validly nominated candidates nationwide.
“We believe this party is strongest when it is transparent, accountable, and faithful to its own rules. We owe every aspirant a fair process, every member an honest organization, and every Nigerian the confidence that we are prepared to hold ourselves to the same standards we expect of others.
“No political party can ask Nigerians to trust its commitment to democracy if it is unwilling to defend democracy within its own house. It is high time that if the current leadership of the party cannot bring the perpetrators of these gross injustices to book, then they must resign and make way for those ready to restore integrity to our party.
“May Almighty God give us the wisdom to pursue justice with fairness and integrity. May He comfort those who have suffered injustice and grant our party leadership the courage to enforce transparency without fear or favor.
“To ensure these issues are exhaustively pursued, the ADC Youth Wing Legal Advisers, chaired by Barr. I.U. Wali and Barr. Juliet Laba, will work directly with aggrieved aspirants until all their issues are justifiably resolved. We pray for God’s guidance upon our presidential team, all valid candidates, and the entire nation. Amen,” he said