The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State has reaffirmed Malam Ibrahim Khalil as its sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election, while rejecting what it described as undue interference in the affairs of the state chapter by a national party officer.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Kano, party elder Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Mabo said the endorsement reflected the collective position of the party’s Expanded State Interim Leadership Team (ESILT) and key stakeholders across the state.
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Mabo said the decision followed the governorship primary election held on May 22, 2026, in which Ibrahim Khalil emerged victorious with 55,851 votes, defeating his opponent who secured 4,000 votes.
According to him, the outcome of the primary election represents the will of party members and should be respected by all stakeholders.
“The election was clear. There was a winner and there was a loser. Our support for Malam Ibrahim Khalil is not only based on the outcome of the primary election but also on a strategic assessment of Kano’s political realities and electoral dynamics,” he said.
The party leaders highlighted Khalil’s grassroots appeal, loyalty to the party, and influence among religious and community groups as key factors behind their endorsement.
They described him as a candidate capable of mobilising broad support among women, youths, and various constituencies across Kano State, adding that his candidacy could strengthen the ADC’s position in the North-West ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders also commended Khalil’s contributions to the growth of the ADC in Kano, describing him as a founding member of the party’s legacy structure who played a significant role in sustaining the party over the years.
The group, however, criticised the alleged involvement of former Deputy National Chairman (Values and Ethics), Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammed, in the affairs of the Kano chapter.
According to the stakeholders, no provision of the ADC Constitution empowers a deputy national chairman to superintend over the affairs of a state chapter or influence the conduct of party primaries.
They further argued that recent constitutional amendments and decisions of the party’s National Executive Committee had rendered the office previously occupied by Naja’atu Muhammed without substantive legal authority in the matter.
The stakeholders maintained that any attempt to alter or disregard the outcome of the Kano governorship primary would be unconstitutional and detrimental to the party’s credibility.
Responding to concerns over Khalil’s financial strength ahead of the election, the leaders cited Kano’s political history, noting that several former governors emerged victorious despite facing wealthier opponents.
They referenced the electoral successes of Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi in 1979, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in 1999, and Ibrahim Shekarau in 2003 as evidence that voters often prioritise character, integrity, and leadership qualities over financial resources.
The Kano ADC leaders called on the party’s national leadership to respect the outcome of the primary election and prevent actions capable of causing internal divisions.
They warned that ignoring the mandate given to Ibrahim Khalil by party members could undermine the party’s chances in future elections.
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The position was endorsed by former ADC Kano State Chairman, Alhaji Musa Shuaibu Ungogo, party elder Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Mabo, and the party’s Administrative Secretary, Dr. Bala M. Takai, on behalf of members of the Expanded State Interim Leadership Team (ESILT).