A senatorial aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the Federal Capital Territory, Amb. Mubarak Ahmad Tijjani, has asked the party leadership to disqualify Senator Ireti Kingibe from its forthcoming senatorial primary.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Tijjani accused Kingibe of allegedly failing to appear before the party’s screening committee, saying such action should automatically disqualify her from participating in the primary election.
He made the call in a petition submitted to the ADC national leadership and the FCT screening committee.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Tijjani said the party must follow its constitution and guidelines if it wants to maintain credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He alleged that Kingibe failed to participate in the mandatory screening exercise while seeking to edge out other aspirants and secure the party’s ticket.
According to him, allowing any aspirant to bypass the screening process would undermine internal democracy in the ADC.
“A candidate who cannot face her own party’s screening committee is fundamentally unfit to face the FCT electorate,” he said.
Tijjani argued that the rules of the party were clear on the consequences of failing to appear before the screening committee.
He said no aspirant should be allowed to avoid the process and still seek an automatic or uncontested ticket.
“The rules are clear. If you do not attend the screening, you are disqualified from the primary. You cannot evade the process and then seek an uncontested ticket,” he stated.
The aspirant insisted that all those seeking elective positions under the ADC must be subjected to the same internal processes.
Tijjani further warned the party leadership against any move that could be interpreted as favouring one aspirant over others.
He said the political climate in the FCT had moved beyond what he described as “political imposition.”
According to him, party members, delegates and residents of the FCT, especially young people, are watching the process closely.
“The residents of the FCT, especially the youth population, are watching closely. We have complied with all party requirements, mobilised delegates, and participated in the screening process. The democratic rights of delegates must be respected,” he added.
The ADC aspirant called on the party’s national chairman, national organising secretary and members of the FCT screening committee to enforce the party’s rules.
He said a transparent primary process would prevent disputes, strengthen confidence among members and protect the credibility of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tijjani maintained that every aspirant should be judged by the same standard and allowed to test their popularity before delegates.
As of press time, the ADC leadership and Senator Kingibe had yet to respond to the allegations.