Turmoil has broken out in Adamawa's African Democratic Congress chapter over alleged tampering with primary election results for the House of Representatives seat covering Yola North, Yola South and Girei.
Engineer Abubakar Bashir's campaign team claims party officials are trying to overturn his victory in the May 21, 2026 primary contest.
According to the official results released on May 27, Bashir won with 33,931 votes. He defeated six competitors in the race.
His closest rival, Zayyad Ayuba Tumba, came in second with 16,266 votes. Yusuf Garba finished third with 14,611 votes.
But something strange emerged afterward. An online list began circulating that showed a different winner — allegedly someone who polled the fewest votes.
Mohammed Daud Kachalla signed a statement on behalf of Bashir's campaign council expressing shock at the development. He characterized it as a deliberate move to undermine party members' wishes.
"A purported list circulating online suggests that another aspirant, who scored the lowest number of votes, was submitted to National Headquarters as the winner," the statement read.
Bashir's team insisted his victory was decisive and legitimate. They warned that changing the results would damage internal party democracy.
The campaign vowed to pursue every legal and constitutional option available to protect what members freely chose. They want the party's stated results upheld at both state and national levels.
Party supporters received instructions to stay calm while the matter gets resolved. No violence or disorder was called for.
Bashir's team wants ADC leadership to preserve the nomination process's credibility. The party's national office hasn't formally replied to these allegations.
Party tensions are likely to worsen as 2027 general election preparations advance. This dispute comes at a critical time.
