ADC LOGO
Political tension is rising in Adamawa State following the rejection of the June 13 local government election results by candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who have described the exercise as lacking credibility and transparency.
The election, conducted across the state, produced chairmen-elect for all 21 local government areas and councillors-elect for the 226 wards. However, all the declared winners emerged from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a development that has sparked strong reactions from opposition candidates.
Addressing journalists in Yola, ADC chairmanship and councillorship candidates jointly dismissed the outcome of the election, insisting that the process did not reflect the wishes of the electorate. They argued that what took place on June 13 could not be regarded as a genuine democratic exercise.
Speaking on behalf of the group, chairmanship candidate Abubakar Ahmadu strongly questioned the legitimacy of the poll and called for a fresh election.
“We wish to state emphatically that elections did not hold in all the local government councils across the state on June 13, 2026. We therefore wonder how results were concocted and how winners emerged,” Ahmadu declared.
The ADC candidates alleged that the announced results were predetermined and failed to represent the true will of the people. According to them, the process lacked openness and fairness, leading to widespread doubts about its credibility.
Ahmadu went further to describe the election as “the height of electoral banditry,” accusing the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) of failing to conduct a transparent and inclusive electoral process.
The opposition candidates maintained that democracy can only thrive when elections are free, fair, and credible. They therefore called on civil society organisations, democracy advocates, and constitutional rights groups to intervene and ensure that democratic principles are upheld in Adamawa State.
According to the ADC, restoring public confidence in the electoral system requires a complete review of the process and the conduct of a fresh election across all local government areas.
The candidates also urged ADSIEC to announce a new date for what they described as a credible, transparent, and inclusive poll that would allow voters to freely choose their leaders.
Political analysts say the controversy highlights growing concerns about electoral integrity in local government elections across Nigeria. With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, opposition parties are becoming increasingly vocal about issues of fairness, transparency, and accountability in the electoral process.
For many observers, the Adamawa dispute serves as another reminder of the importance of credible elections in strengthening democracy and maintaining public trust in governance.
About The Author
