Legally, I’m ADC Kaduna Governorship Candidate — Shuaibu Idris

Governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State for the 2027 general election, Mr. Shuaibu Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Mikati, speaks in this interview about the party’s governorship primary dispute in the state. He also explains why he believes he is the party’s rightful governorship candidate in Kaduna State, based on the outcome of the party’s internal processes. The Mirror Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Rev. Stanley Ihedigbo, was among the senior journalists who conducted the interview. Excerpts:

As it stands today, it appears that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State has no governorship candidate. Your party also seems to be running out of time because political parties have already uploaded the names of their presidential, vice-presidential, gubernatorial and National Assembly candidates. By the time the window opens for the governorship and State Assembly elections, what will be the fate of the party?

I think it would be wrong to say that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State does not have a governorship candidate. Of course, we have a governorship candidate. However, when you look at the procedure for the nomination of a gubernatorial candidate, as provided in the party’s guidelines, you will see that the guidelines are very clear.

The nomination forms were advertised, and aspiring candidates were required to purchase and complete the forms. The party administration was then expected to review the submitted forms. After that, a screening panel was appointed to screen the candidates, verify the documents submitted, and give its verdict. Where any candidates were disqualified by the screening panel, an appeal panel was expected to review the actions of the screening panel and make appropriate recommendations.

Thereafter, a primary election committee was appointed to conduct the primary election. Following the primary election, another appeal panel was constituted to review the actions of the primary election committee and deliver its verdict after the review, just as the High Court and the Court of Appeal perform different appellate functions. Like every other democratic party in Nigeria, the ADC has these guidelines, and every aspirant who purchased the nomination form was given a copy. We all read and understood them. These guidelines are expected to be followed to the letter.

We had the primary election, and Isa Ashiru was declared the winner with about 86,000 votes. I considered that election a charade, and I issued a press statement expressing my reservations about the modus operandi and the procedures adopted by the committee that conducted the election. The election was poorly organised, grossly underfunded, and this created opportunities for several irregularities during the primary.

When the party, in line with its guidelines, set up an appeal committee, I submitted a petition requesting a review of the conduct of the primary election because I believed I had actually won the election. Although the results announced placed me last among the five aspirants, the appeal committee carefully examined the evidence we presented and concluded that, based on the valid votes cast, Shuaibu Idris won the election. Consequently, the committee declared me the rightful candidate.

So today, legally speaking, Shuaibu Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Mikati, is the lawful governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State for the 2027 General Election.

Sir, in a situation like this, after the panels have sat, reviewed all the petitions, and reached their decisions, it is expected that the National Working Committee (NWC) will review their recommendations. How far has the National Working Committee gone in that regard?

Firstly, I am not a member of the National Working Committee. However, as a bona fide member of the party, I consider myself a critical stakeholder, given my involvement, assistance, and support for the party.

To the best of my knowledge and belief, the National Working Committee has not yet met to review the reports of the various appeal committees. Remember, there are appeal committees in about 20 to 25 states. Therefore, the National Working Committee is yet to sit down and review all those appeal committee reports. So, it is not just about Kaduna State.

However, on an individual basis, I have reached out to not less than 80 per cent of the members of the National Working Committee to seek their opinions on the way forward. To the best of my knowledge, they have been fair in their responses. They have told me, “Mr. Idris, we understand your concerns, and we know what is happening, but we require input from our legal department so that we can determine the appropriate course of action. However, based on what we have seen and the interactions we have had with the Appeal Committee, it is clear that you are the one who has the mandate. The decision will be made soon.”

For us, I believe it is only a matter of time before the truth prevails. However, what I have observed over the last two or three weeks is that Hon. Ashiru has continued to claim to be the party’s flagbearer. He has been holding meetings left, right, and centre with some party executives and other stakeholders. In my view, he is trying to build legitimacy on what I consider a nullity. He is operating on an extremely weak foundation.

I swear by the God I worship that if I were in his position, I would bury my head in shame because he joined the party barely two or three weeks before the primary election and is now claiming to have won.

I find what he is doing absurd and, to say the least, insulting to the people of Kaduna State. Why wouldn’t he wait for the National Working Committee to certify him as the candidate? Why wouldn’t he wait until a Certificate of Return is issued to him? Just a few days ago, he announced his running mate. I could do the same, but I am a law-abiding citizen. I have not been issued a Certificate of Return, so why should I be so pompous and arrogant as to announce that Mr. X or Mr. Y would be my running mate? To me, such an action would not stand the test of logic, and I will not do that.

Since you are not a member of the National Working Committee, don’t you think the speed with which the party takes a decision will determine how far it can go in the election? Given that time is no longer on the party’s side, are you not worried that these issues could affect its chances of winning?

My brother, let me begin by saying that in politics, a day can be longer than a year. What can happen in politics within one hour may take six months or even a year to happen in ordinary human affairs.

So yes, the situation is affecting the party and weakening it because we are acting as though we have no leadership, and that is a major challenge. In the last 48 hours, one of the governorship aspirants, Prof. Mohammed Sani Bello, resigned his membership of the party. Naturally, he has supporters, so his departure is obviously affecting the party.

However, if you study the Electoral Act, you will find that there is still time for the party to conclude the process of selecting its candidates. We have between now and the end of this month, or perhaps the first week of August, to finalise the governorship candidate and candidates for other elective positions. Within that period, there is still room for the party to make the necessary adjustments where required.

As for me, I believe I am relatively easy to market. I first contested for the office of Governor in 2007, and over the past 20 years, I have remained active in public life. As a regular commentator on current affairs and economic issues, hardly a week passes without my appearance on Channels Television, NTA, or other national television stations. I have also featured on international media platforms, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and Radio France Internationale (RFI). Whether in Hausa or English, I am widely known. Most times, I am a regular guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.

So, I am relatively easy to market. Even if I am confirmed as the party’s candidate just 90 days before the general election, I am confident that, considering my record of service to Kaduna State and my contributions to humanity in Nigeria, I would still be a very marketable candidate.

A governorship election is not a one-man show. If the party leaves its decision until so late, will there be enough time to reconcile all the aggrieved members?

Very good question. There is no election, not even a councillorship election, that is a one-man show. However, you are forgetting one important fact: we are on a journey, and we are approaching it strategically. Are we sleeping? No.

Discussions are still ongoing as we speak.
Today, I reached out to two strong contenders for the governorship ticket, and we came to a mutual understanding that if the party eventually picks any one of the three of us, we are likely to support that person.

I have also had discussions with Mr. Ashiru. As I have always said, he is my brother, and I will never speak ill of him. We may have political disagreements, but beyond politics, we are brothers. We have no other state to call our own except Kaduna State.

If the National Working Committee decides to give him the ticket, I will carefully consider my options. I will ask myself what the best course of action is. Should I support him? Should I remain in the party and continue to contribute? These are decisions I will make when the time comes. But we are not antagonistic towards one another, nor are we enemies.

If I had more time, I would have discussed my manifesto with you. I call it WIPER—Work Creation, Infrastructure, Peace based on Equity and Justice, Empowerment, and Resource Mobilisation.

Once you have a quality candidate, adequate logistics to drive the campaign, and a compelling message for the people, then, honestly, the rest is about working hard to earn the mandate of the people.

Sir, if you eventually become your party’s candidate and have to run against the incumbent governor, whom many people in Kaduna State believe has performed well, what do you think your chances are?

It is very important to understand that in politics, you will never find a leader who enjoys 100 per cent support or 100 per cent opposition. As we prepare for the election, we acknowledge that we have a governor in the person of the Distinguished Senator Abubakar Sani. He is doing what he can within the limits of his administration.

However, when making comparisons, we should compare like with like. There is no need to compare apples with oranges; we should compare apples with apples.
In the education sector, although the government faces enormous challenges, especially with revenue generation, the reality is that about 60 to 70 per cent of our primary schools are still in a deplorable condition. Many lack classrooms in good condition, chairs, teaching materials, and even enough teachers. In some schools, children are taught while sitting on gravel instead of on proper classroom floors.

I have seen these conditions myself, and I can show you some of the interventions I have personally funded from my hard-earned resources. So far, I have renovated between 15 and 17 schools and donated classroom furniture to several of them.

So, it is not simply a matter of politics. There are areas where the governor deserves commendation. For example, he has paid pensions owed to many retired workers and senior citizens. I do not believe in criticising any government unfairly because, as an outsider, you may not fully understand the challenges those in government face. Therefore, one must be careful, objective, and fair in making assessments. Sometimes, when you eventually get into government, you realise that those you criticised were actually dealing with far more difficult circumstances than you had imagined.

Sir, many people are saying that most ADC governorship candidates are riding on the popularity of Atiku Abubakar. What is your relationship with Atiku, especially considering his influence in Northern Nigeria?

I would have to respectfully disagree with that assumption. I am my own man. I have an excellent relationship with His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, without any doubt. I respect him in many ways. First, as a respected elder statesman of Nigeria; second, as someone who served as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and third, as someone who has mentored me and shown me great generosity.

When I contested for the governorship of Kaduna State in 2011, he made a financial contribution to my campaign. So, if you are looking for one of Atiku’s political protégés, I can honestly say I am one of them. However, am I campaigning in Kaduna simply because I am “Atiku’s boy”? No. I am my own man. I bear my father’s name, and I do not operate under anyone’s shadow.

What about the former governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who is a leader in your party?

Even Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. I am my own man. I respect Mallam El-Rufai because he has earned my admiration through what he was able to achieve in the modernisation of Kaduna State.

However, I am not anyone’s political stooge or political boy. The respect and admiration are there, but I also have my own identity. It would be my greatest undoing to make myself anyone’s political appendage. Such relationships have both advantages and disadvantages.

Look at what happened in Kano State between the governor and his political mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. They eventually fell apart. Sometimes, it is better to stand on your own.

I will always give Mallam El-Rufai the respect he deserves. If it means greeting him with humility because he is older than I am and has served as a minister and governor, I will gladly do so. I have immense respect for him.

There were several occasions when he appeared in court in Kaduna, and whenever I saw him, I greeted him. I also granted media interviews, saying that what I considered political persecution should stop and that he should be granted bail. Those positions were based strictly on principle, not because I wanted his political support.

If I did not believe he deserved bail, I would not have advocated for it. If, for example, he had been accused of trying to violently overthrow the Federal Republic of Nigeria or of committing murder, I would not have taken that position.

His political objective is to campaign for a change of government in 2027. Is that a crime? No. If he is accused of financial recklessness or other misconduct, those remain allegations until proven in court.
Take Yahaya Bello as an example. He served as Governor of Kogi State, faces allegations of financial crimes, and has been granted bail. Why should different standards be applied? Justice demands equal treatment. As the saying goes, all animals are equal; therefore, the treatment should be equal for all.

Sir, are you saying that the legal challenges facing Mallam El-Rufai are part of a plot to weaken the ADC in Kaduna State?

I do not want to venture into speculation. We are sitting here today, and it would be nearly impossible for me to know the motives behind anyone’s actions. Even with a crystal ball, I could not tell you what is in another person’s mind.

I am not a lawyer, but from my little understanding of the law, there are offences that are generally regarded as non-bailable, such as murder and armed robbery. However, allegations of financial impropriety, regardless of the amount involved, are ordinarily bailable offences.

In this case, a complaint was filed against him. He was in Cairo, Egypt, yet he voluntarily returned to Nigeria and presented himself to the relevant authorities. To me, that demonstrated responsibility and respect for the law. I believe such conduct should ordinarily attract a reciprocal gesture.

Again, I am not a legal practitioner, but I think lawyers and those handling the matter should carefully consider these issues.

Sir, you have spoken about education. By the grace of God, if you secure your party’s ticket and eventually become governor, what would you do differently to address the security challenges in Kaduna State? Secondly, are you confident that votes will count in the coming election?

Thank you very much.
On security, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria describes governors as the Chief Security Officers of their respective states. However, in reality, the heads of the security agencies in the states do not take operational instructions from governors. So, what can a governor do differently?

First, build and sustain a strong working relationship with the Commander-in-Chief and the heads of the security agencies because many security decisions require federal approval and cooperation.

I once had the opportunity to speak with a governor who told me that despite serious security challenges in his state, over one thousand soldiers were deployed there, yet the desired operations against bandits were not effectively carried out. If you have a cordial relationship with the Chief of Army Staff and other security chiefs, you may be able to engage them directly and advocate for more decisive action.

Relationships matter. If someone is sharing food among several people, those who maintain mutual respect and understanding are more likely to receive favourable consideration. That is simply human nature.

Beyond that, I believe we must address the root causes of insecurity. In the social sciences, there is a recognised relationship between unemployment, poverty, and crime.

Environmental challenges have also contributed. Desert encroachment and the shrinking of Lake Chad have destroyed the livelihoods of many fishermen, farmers, and pastoralists. Many pastoral Fulani families have lost their cattle and sources of income.
What alternatives have we provided for them? Very little.

One proposal worth considering is a structured disarmament and rehabilitation programme. The government could encourage bandits to surrender their weapons in exchange for genuine economic opportunities, including livestock and other means of livelihood. As controversial as the idea may sound, even armed groups have recognised leaders who can be engaged in dialogue.

This approach would require the support of the Commander-in-Chief and other stakeholders, but I believe it deserves serious consideration.

The Amnesty Programme introduced during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua did not originate from him alone. It emerged from consultations with leaders in the Niger Delta, who sought solutions to the crisis caused by environmental degradation and disruptions to oil production.

I also believe law enforcement agencies, particularly the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), should play a stronger role. Many of these criminals operate under the influence of hard drugs. We must identify and dismantle the supply networks that enable them to commit these crimes.

These are my thoughts. They may not be perfect, but they are ideas that can be critically examined, refined, and, where appropriate, implemented. If I were governor, I would certainly explore such options.

Regarding my confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I believe it is still too early to make a definite assessment of the Commission’s preparedness.

The ability of INEC to conduct a free, fair, and credible election depends on several factors. Adequate funding is one of the most important. As we speak, no one can confidently say how much funding has been made available for the elections scheduled for the first quarter of next year.

Security agencies must also provide the necessary protection and create an environment that allows elections to be conducted peacefully. Fortunately, Nigeria already has an Electoral Act that provides the legal framework for credible elections.

There are many variables to consider before concluding whether the elections will be free and fair. Therefore, at this stage, I cannot honestly give a simple “yes” or “no” answer.

There are several legal hurdles facing opposition parties. Do you see any of them overcoming these challenges before the election?

Honestly, when I went to the university, I studied Accounting, not Law. However, I believe there is a need for caution. Yes, you may try to compromise people, but there is a limit to how far that can go.
We are all witnesses to what happened during the military era and even under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The more you attempt to suppress the opposition, the more likely it is that the situation will eventually explode. Therefore, everyone must tread carefully when it comes to these legal challenges.

The most important thing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should realise is that, in terms of financial resources and the advantages of incumbency, he already has significant strengths. The best way for him to earn a legitimate mandate is to contest in an environment where there is a credible and competitive opposition.

If the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties become weakened or compromised, and the only remaining opposition capable of mounting a strong challenge is also undermined, then democracy itself is endangered. Opposition is not a crime. Without a vibrant opposition, democracy loses its essence.

So, in my opinion, while there are legal challenges, it is even more important for the government to ensure that the political playing field is level and not filled with legal landmines that could undermine the democratic process as the election approaches.

What is your advice to the people of Kaduna State ahead of the 2027 general election?

Honestly, it is important for people to understand that whatever decision they make at the polls should be guided by their conscience.

Yes, many people are facing economic hardship today. However, if someone offers you ₦5,000 in exchange for your vote, remember that the money may be spent within 48 or 72 hours, but the person you elect will remain in office for four years. Four years amount to 1,460 days. Is it wise to trade your future for just a few days of temporary relief?

My advice to the people of Kaduna State, and indeed to Nigerians as a whole, is to open your eyes and think carefully before casting your vote. Do not elect a councillor, member of the State House of Assembly, governor, or president simply because someone has offered you money.

On the Day of Judgment, we all believe we will give an account of our actions before God. God has blessed us with eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to work, legs to walk, and minds endowed with knowledge and wisdom. We must use these gifts responsibly.

Do your civic duty by voting according to your conscience and leave the rest to God. It is important to remember that we will all one day be held accountable for how we used the opportunities and responsibilities God entrusted to us. That day may come sooner or later, so we should always be prepared.