Kaduna 2027: ADC will spring surprises despite internal crisis, says Miqati

Stanley Ihedigbo

African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship aspirant in Kaduna State, Shuaibu Idris Miqati, has dismissed claims that the party is dead in the state, describing such assertions as exaggerated despite the leadership disputes, litigation and organisational challenges confronting the opposition party.

Miqati, a chartered accountant, chartered personnel manager, chartered marketing executive and chartered director, said the ADC remained politically active and capable of challenging the ruling party, insisting that its current difficulties should not be mistaken for the collapse of its structures.

In an interview with journalists in Lagos, Miqati acknowledged that the party was facing internal disagreements in Kaduna and other states but maintained that the situation was not beyond resolution.

He urged political opponents not to be carried away by claims of the party’s demise, arguing that disagreements and organisational difficulties were not sufficient grounds to declare a political party dead.

“The outburst that the ADC is dead in Kaduna State, to my mind, is unfounded and misguided,” he said.

“ADC is indeed facing challenges in Kaduna State and in most other states, but to say it is dead, I believe most sincerely, is an exaggeration of the state of affairs of the party.”

Coalition Challenges, Leadership Disputes

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the coalition that strengthened the ADC, Miqati said the political realignments were driven by the need for like-minded individuals and groups to work together within an established party structure.

According to him, the challenges associated with registering a new political party and the desire to build a broader political platform contributed to the decision by coalition members to align with the ADC.

He acknowledged, however, that such political arrangements could generate disagreements, particularly where the interests of existing party members differed from those of new entrants.

Miqati said while some legacy members had embraced the coalition, others remained dissatisfied with the arrangement, adding that both groups needed one another to build a stronger party.

He stressed that unity, mutual understanding and a willingness to accommodate different interests were necessary to overcome the current difficulties.

The governorship aspirant identified leadership disagreements between legacy party members and coalition leaders, litigation over leadership positions, the reported continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and disputes surrounding party primaries as some of the issues affecting the ADC.

He maintained that recognising the problems was the first step towards resolving them.

“We need to come clean and be honest with ourselves by noting the issues. We cannot claim there are no challenges, problems or even difficulties. But is the party dead? I will certainly say no! It is alive, kicking and even waxing stronger,” he said.

Miqati expressed confidence that the ADC could overcome its internal difficulties and position itself to compete for political leadership in Kaduna State.

APC Chairman’s Silence Not Necessarily Admission, Says Miqati

Reacting to a question about the silence of the APC state chairman following the statement that the ADC was dead in Kaduna, Miqati said he was not in a position to speak for or defend any party chairman.

He suggested that the absence of a response could be connected to ongoing political developments and the unresolved leadership situation within the ADC.

According to him, the party’s legacy leaders were still working through cohesion challenges, while the new leaders elected under the coalition arrangement were yet to be formally sworn in.

He said these circumstances might explain the silence, although he also suggested that it could be a political strategy.

Miqati argued that the departure of some members, regardless of their political influence, did not automatically mean that a party had collapsed.

Using the analogy of a person recovering from a serious illness, he said political organisations could overcome difficult periods and emerge stronger.

He further claimed that the ADC had more than three million members at the last count. Referring to a rally in Zaria where it was purported that about 200,000 ADC members had defected to the APC, he argued that even if the figure were accurate, the party would still retain a substantial membership base.

The membership figures and the reported number of defectors were claims made by Miqati and were not independently verified for this report.

He also maintained that the party retained structures at the state, local government and ward levels, which he said would help sustain its political activities despite the challenges.

Miqati expressed confidence that the party’s internal disputes would be resolved, adding that he was pursuing legal remedies concerning the Kaduna governorship primary.

Campaign preparations: ‘We are not late’

On concerns that the ADC had yet to announce a comprehensive campaign programme and dates, Miqati said he believed there was still sufficient time for the party to organise its activities.

He argued that campaign preparations should be considered within the context of the electoral timetable and the time legally available for political mobilisation.

“The elections are set to come up in January next year. This is October; I believe there is still time. If you check the timetable for campaigns, the period has just commenced. I don’t think we are late or delaying,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the party would unveil its campaign plans and surprise political observers and opponents.

Miqati said the party’s immediate priority should include addressing internal disputes and ensuring that its organisational structures were positioned to support effective mobilisation.

He also indicated that the legal disputes surrounding party leadership and candidate selection had contributed to uncertainty among some aspirants.

Funding, posters and campaign challenges

Addressing concerns about limited campaign resources and reports of candidates’ posters being removed or displaced, Miqati acknowledged that funding remained a challenge for political parties and individual aspirants.

He said the shortage of resources was not peculiar to the ADC, noting that political campaigns required substantial financial and logistical support.

According to him, the need for prudent spending was particularly important with the elections still months away.

“Funding, in general, resources are scarce. No one person, government or institution can claim to have sufficient funds or resources. Everyone needs more,” he said.

Miqati maintained that the party would need to manage available resources carefully while preparing for more intensive campaign activities.

He predicted that campaign programmes and spending would become more visible towards the end of October and the beginning of November, expressing hope that donations and other forms of support would also improve.

On the reported removal or displacement of candidates’ posters, his broader response focused on the financial and organisational difficulties facing aspirants. The specific allegations concerning posters were not independently verified for this report.

He said a more comprehensive campaign programme would emerge as the party resolved outstanding legal and organisational questions.

‘I am the bonafide winner of the primary’

Miqati also addressed the controversy surrounding the ADC governorship primary in Kaduna State, maintaining that he was the rightful winner of the exercise.

He said he was awaiting the necessary legal validation and the subsequent uploading of his name by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“As the bonafide winner of the primary election for Kaduna State governorship seat, as soon as the court certifies me and my name is uploaded in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s server, I will come out with a detailed programme and you would see changes and improvements,” he said.

His claim regarding the primary election outcome remains subject to the relevant party records and legal proceedings.

Miqati expressed optimism that the outstanding issues would be resolved soon, promising that his campaign would become more visible once his candidacy was formally established.

He concluded by assuring supporters that the party and his campaign would address the concerns surrounding their preparedness, resources and organisational direction.

“Your concerns would be history, In Shaa Allah,” he said.

From PDP to ADC

Providing some background to his political journey, Miqati said he began his political career in 2005 as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He disclosed that he contested for the Kaduna State governorship ticket in 2007, 2011 and 2019 but did not emerge successful at the party’s primary election stage.

He said he remained in the PDP throughout those contests before deciding to join the ADC because of what he described as challenges affecting his former party.

Miqati, who is also a member of the National Institute and a director of several companies, said his decision to join the ADC was based on principle and his assessment of the need for a different political platform.

Despite the ADC’s current internal difficulties, he said he remained confident in the party’s prospects and its ability to build a competitive political movement in Kaduna State.

For Miqati, the central question is not whether the ADC is experiencing difficulties, but whether its members can resolve their differences, consolidate their structures and translate their political ambitions into electoral strength.