A coalition of Idris Mikati supporters has rejected the certificate of return issued to Isa Ashiru as the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday signed by Usman Sani, the coalition’s chairman.

The coalition comprises the Kaduna State ADC Youth Vanguard and Mikati Support Groups across the 23 council areas.

The coalition described the October 4 certificate issuance as illegal, procedurally flawed and unacceptable.

The supporters alleged that the certificate was issued despite a pending court case and without proper ratification by the party’s National Working Committee.

They described the action as a betrayal of internal democracy and a violation of the ADC constitution and the wishes of lawful delegates.

The coalition also alleged that the NWC had not met for more than six months.

According to the statement, the party’s May 2026 governorship primary declared Mr Ashiru the winner with 86,113 votes.

It said four aggrieved aspirants, including Mr Mikati, subsequently petitioned the Electoral Appeal Committee constituted by the NWC.

The committee, chaired by Mustapha Fagge, reportedly reviewed the evidence and overturned Mr Ashiru’s declaration.

It said the committee subsequently declared Mr Mikati the authentic candidate based on evidence, legal advice and reports from security agencies.

The coalition alleged that the NWC failed to convene a meeting to consider and ratify the appeal committee’s report.

It said the national leadership instead issued a certificate of return based on a contested report that had allegedly been overturned by its appeal panel.

“How can a party establish an internal dispute mechanism and then ignore its own verdict?” the coalition said.

The group argued that issuing the certificate without formal NWC or National Executive Committee ratification amounted to a breach of due process.

The coalition rejected the certificate issued to Mr Ashiru, describing it as null, void and without effect.

It reaffirmed Mr Mikati as the authentic ADC governorship candidate, citing his alleged victory before the party’s Electoral Appeal Committee.

The supporters also warned that the development could deepen factionalisation within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They urged the ADC national leadership to reverse the decision and convene an emergency NWC meeting.

The coalition further urged the leadership to uphold the report of the Fagge-led Electoral Appeal Committee declaring Mr Mikati the winner.

It said Mr Mikati had approached the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja Division, to protect his mandate.

The coalition warned that any attempt to submit Mr Ashiru’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission could face legal consequences.

It urged supporters, elders, youths, women and stakeholders across Kaduna to remain calm, resolute and law-abiding.

The coalition maintained that the mandate allegedly given to Mr Mikati by delegates could not be taken away through what it described as administrative impunity.

(NAN)