Southern Kaduna Forum Rejects ADC Ticket, Alleges El-Rufai's "Overbearing Influence" in 2027 Pick

By: Abubakar Labaran

The Southern Kaduna Political Forum has formally rejected the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket for the 2027 elections, accusing former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of wielding undue influence over the selection of the party’s candidates.

The Forum made its position known on Saturday during a press conference at the Epitome Event Center in Barnawa, Kaduna, where it took aim at the emergence of Honourable Isa Ashiru Kudan as the governorship candidate and his running mate, Honourable Irimiya Kantiyok.

Addressing journalists, the Convener of the Forum, Comrade Boniface Ishaku Kambai, argued that recent developments within the Kaduna ADC have reinforced perceptions that the immediate past governor continues to exert an "overbearing influence" over the party's internal decision-making in the state.

Kambai specifically criticized the selection process for the deputy governorship candidate, stating it was not the product of broad-based consultations with stakeholders, community leaders, or youth groups from Southern Kaduna.

"It reflects the preference of a few individuals, a development that falls short of the democratic values of consultation, inclusiveness, and collective participation," Kambai stated. "Consequently, we reject the nomination in its entirety."

The Forum also voiced concern that major decisions within the Kaduna State chapter of the ADC are increasingly being dictated by a narrow political circle associated with El-Rufai, rather than through transparent and democratic internal party processes.

While acknowledging Hon. Irimiya Kantiyok’s service as a three-term member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly for Zonkwa Constituency, the Forum argued that his tenure did not sufficiently advance the political or developmental priorities of Zangon Kataf LGA or the broader Southern Kaduna region.

"We wish to state unequivocally that the Isa Ashiru–Irimiya Kantiyok ticket does not inspire the level of confidence required to unite the diverse people of Kaduna State or effectively confront the numerous developmental and governance challenges facing the state," Kambai said.

The Forum called on the people of Southern Kaduna to "critically evaluate" the ADC ticket and reject any political arrangement that does not reflect the collective aspirations of the region.

It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting leadership anchored on fairness, equity, justice, inclusiveness, and accountability, while rejecting "every form of external political interference in the affairs of Southern Kaduna."

The press conference was attended by members of the Forum drawn from across the eight Local Government Areas of the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District.