The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)has called for an independent investigation into alleged candidate substitution and other irregularities that reportedly marred the party’s primary elections in over 23 states.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Youth Leader of the party, Comrade Balarabe Rufai, alleged that credible petitions supported by documentary evidence had been submitted by aggrieved aspirants over the conduct of the primaries.
Rufai said the complaints raised serious concerns about the credibility of the party’s internal democratic process and should not be ignored by the leadership.
He said, “The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress can no longer remain silent in the face of serious allegations that strike at the very foundation of the values we have asked Nigerians to believe in.
“We had every reason to expect that our internal processes would reflect the principles we preach. Instead, credible complaints have emerged suggesting that, in some instances, those principles may have been compromised.”
The youth leader alleged that petitions before the party indicated that some officials accepted improper financial inducements to alter candidate nominations across more than 23 states.
According to him, formal petitions were submitted by the party’s Appeal Committee and aggrieved aspirants to the Legal Department but no action was taken.
“We have received petitions supported by documentary evidence alleging that some party officials accepted improper financial inducements to alter candidate nominations across over 23 states.
“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,” he said.
Rufai warned that unresolved complaints could weaken members’ confidence in the party and undermine its preparations for the next general election.
He noted that several affected aspirants had either resigned from the party or approached the courts in search of justice.
“Every unresolved complaint weakens confidence in our internal processes and places unnecessary strain on the unity we need ahead of the general election,” he stated.
The ADC youth leader urged the party’s National Working Committee to immediately establish an independent review panel to investigate all petitions.
He also called for disciplinary action against any official found culpable after due process, adding that cases involving alleged criminal conduct should be referred to law enforcement agencies.
“Every honest official should welcome an independent review because transparency strengthens institutions, while silence only fuels suspicion,” Rufai added.
He appealed to aggrieved aspirants across the 36 states to forward their petitions, delegate tallies, video evidence and other relevant documents to the Office of the National Youth Leader for compilation and presentation to the appropriate organs of the party.
Rufai, however, reaffirmed the youth wing’s loyalty to the ADC and expressed support for the party’s presidential ticket led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi.
He maintained that the party could only earn Nigerians’ confidence by ensuring transparency and accountability in its internal affairs.
“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,” he said.
