Bashar Abubakar Shehu, an aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza Federal Constituency, has officially announced his defection from the party following allegations of irregularities in the recently concluded primary election in Kebbi State. The announcement was made during a media briefing held in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, where Shehu condemned the conduct of the primary as unfair and damaging to democratic values within the party. He stated that the election was abruptly halted while voting was still ongoing, despite claims that he was leading the race. This sudden interruption, he argued, undermined the integrity of the process and raised serious concerns about transparency and fairness.
Shehu further revealed that the primary was later concluded without proper oversight or public disclosure. He pointed out that the outcome was announced by an associate of the eventual winner, even as other contestants and their supporters were still waiting for the voting to resume. This, he said, created an atmosphere of suspicion and eroded trust in the party’s electoral process. The aspirant expressed deep disappointment over what he described as the ADC’s failure to uphold its own commitments to youth inclusion and internal democracy. He emphasized that these principles were central to his decision to join the party in the first place.
Despite attempting to seek redress through the party’s appeal committee, Shehu said he received no meaningful response or resolution. He stated that his efforts to challenge the outcome were met with silence and inaction, leading him to lose confidence in the party’s ability to deliver justice. After consulting with his supporters and political associates, he concluded that staying within the ADC was no longer viable. He formally declared his exit, asserting that the party had failed to demonstrate fairness and accountability in conducting its primary election.
Shehu’s defection marks a significant development in the political landscape of Kebbi State, especially as the 2023 general elections approach. His decision is likely to influence other aspirants and party members who may share similar concerns about electoral transparency. The ADC, meanwhile, now faces increased scrutiny over its internal processes and leadership. As the party prepares for upcoming elections, it will need to address these allegations to maintain credibility among its members and the wider electorate. Shehu’s move may also open the door for him to explore alliances with other political parties or run as an independent candidate, depending on future developments.
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