Salga Accuses Naja’atu of Fueling ADC Crisis in Kano

By Suleiman Ahmad, Kano

Hon. Ambassador Abdurrahman Mansir, popularly known as Mainasara Salga, has accused Hajiya Naja’atu of contributing to the internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State.

Salga, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Dala Federal Constituency in the 2023 election, recently emerged as the winner of the ADC primary election for the constituency, securing more than 8,000 votes.

However, he alleged that despite winning the primary, his name was removed from the list of candidates submitted by the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with another individual allegedly substituted in his place.

Salga Alleges Candidate Substitution

Speaking on the development, Salga said he had never met or had any political dealings with Naja’atu.

He alleged that Naja’atu lacked the political experience required to determine the future of the ADC in Kano and accused her of attempting to influence party decisions and impose candidates.

According to Salga, the crisis within the Kano ADC chapter largely stemmed from disagreements involving Naja’atu, Kano State party chairman Hon. Musa Ungogo and Dr. Akilu Indabawa over the distribution of party positions.

He said the disagreement intensified after Naja’atu returned from Egypt, where she had reportedly travelled for medical treatment, and complained that she had not been allocated a party position.

“I Won the Primary With Over 8,000 Votes”

Salga criticised what he described as “house-to-house politics”, arguing that political parties should prioritise credible grassroots politicians over personal interests and factional considerations.

He maintained that his victory in the Dala ADC primary was legitimate, stressing that the election was conducted in Kano and that party members participated despite the rain.

“Everybody knows that I am the legitimate candidate. I won the primary with over 8,000 votes, but overnight my name was removed and another person who did not participate in the primary was substituted,” he alleged.

Salga further claimed that he had defeated the same political opponent during the 2023 election cycle and later defeated him again in the ADC primary after the individual returned to the party from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dispute Over ADC Governorship Candidate

The former PDP candidate also rejected allegations surrounding the emergence of Ibrahim Little as the ADC governorship candidate in Kano.

He insisted that Mallam Ibrahim Khalil was the legitimate winner of the party’s governorship primary.

According to Salga, the controversy over the party’s candidate lists extends beyond Dala Federal Constituency, with several aspirants allegedly affected by changes made after the primary elections.

He alleged that some individuals who did not participate in the primaries were subsequently listed as candidates, while those who won the elections were removed.

Salga Backs Kano ADC Chairman

Salga also accused Naja’atu of having a strained relationship with Musa Ungogo, whom he described as the legitimate Kano State chairman of the ADC.

He said he would continue to support Ungogo despite the internal disagreements within the party.

He also criticised the selection of some candidates associated with the party’s leadership, arguing that they lacked sufficient grassroots support to win their polling units or wards, let alone secure victory in the 2027 general elections.

ADC Crisis Could Affect 2027 Prospects

Salga said political parties must engage in meaningful grassroots mobilisation and support communities if they expect voters to support them, particularly amid the current economic hardship facing Nigerians.

He disclosed that candidates across the country who allegedly had their names removed after winning ADC primaries were consulting and considering possible steps to reclaim what they described as their mandates.

According to him, the affected aspirants believe external interests may have infiltrated the ADC and are attempting to weaken the party through internal divisions.

“We have realised that there are people who are trying to infiltrate the party and destroy its chances of success. By God’s grace, they will not succeed,” Salga said.

He expressed confidence that the affected candidates would eventually reclaim their mandates and be restored to the party’s candidate list.

Allegations Yet to Be Independently Verified

The allegations made by Salga could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.

Efforts to obtain responses from the individuals mentioned, including Naja’atu and other ADC officials, would provide further context to the ongoing dispute within the Kano State chapter of the party.