The factional leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, announced on Friday the successful conclusion of its screening exercise. A total of 1,657 aspirants have been cleared to participate in the party's upcoming primary elections across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The ADC leadership emphasized that the screening process was transparent, credible, and aligned with democratic principles. In a statement by the National Chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party disclosed that screening committees were established in all states and the FCT in accordance with the party's constitution and electoral guidelines to oversee the exercise.
However, 212 aspirants were disqualified for failing to meet the stipulated screening requirements. Gombe stressed that only aspirants who met the party's constitutional and electoral requirements were cleared to contest in the forthcoming primaries.
Gombe stated: “In accordance with the Constitution of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the party’s electoral guidelines, the national leadership constituted screening committees across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. These committees were mandated to conduct the screening exercise for all aspirants seeking to contest for elective offices in the forthcoming primary elections. The screening process was conducted successfully and in an orderly, cordial atmosphere. A total of 1,869 aspirants presented themselves for the exercise, out of which 1,657 were cleared as qualified to participate in the primaries. The remaining 212 aspirants were not cleared for the following reasons: inconsistencies in their declared dates of birth and discrepancies in their academic graduation years; lack of authentic party membership cards; and non-compliance with the stipulated guidelines for participation in the primary election.”
He further detailed: “Out of the 980 aspirants who participated in the screening exercise for State House of Assembly positions, 155 were disqualified and deemed ineligible to proceed to the primary election. Fifty aspirants for the House of Representatives did not meet the screening requirements, while seven aspirants for the Senate were similarly unsuccessful and did not pass the exercise.”
The party's commitment to due process and adherence to its constitution underscores its dedication to internal democracy and credible elections. The cleared aspirants will now proceed to the primaries, where they will compete for party tickets for various elective offices.
