ADC Primaries Committees named as Imoke and Ahmed head screening and election panels ahead of presidential and governorship primaries
The African Democratic Congress, Abuja, Nigeria, announced the constitution of key electoral committees led by former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, as part of preparations for its forthcoming presidential and governorship primaries under the ADC Primaries Committees framework.
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In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC confirmed that Senator Liyel Imoke will serve as Chairman of the Presidential Screening Committee, while Abdulfatah Ahmed will head the Presidential Election Committee, marking a significant organisational step ahead of the party’s internal elections.
The development signals the party’s attempt to strengthen internal processes and credibility as it positions itself for the selection of its presidential candidate, with both committees expected to play central roles in determining eligibility and overseeing the conduct of the exercise.
According to the statement, the Presidential Screening Committee includes Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum as Secretary, alongside Alhaji Lawal Batagarawa, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, Hon. Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, Prof. David Salifu and Col. Abubakar Ali Ciroma as members, forming a broad-based panel tasked with vetting aspirants.
The Presidential Election Committee, chaired by Abdulfatah Ahmed, also features Prof. Yisa Gana as Secretary, with members drawn from diverse professional and military backgrounds, including Maj.-Gen. Adamu Jalingo, Dr Auwalu Anwar, Chief Emenike Ikechi, Dr. Macaulay Iyare, Tajudeen Bakare, Elder Ubolo Itodo Okpanachi, Zainab Buba Galadima, Uzoamaka Onyeama and Maj.-Gen Muhammad Inuwa Idris.
A separate Presidential Appeals Committee has also been constituted to handle disputes arising from the primaries.
It is chaired by Dr. Suleiman Usman, SAN, with Barr. Ken Imasuagbon serving as Secretary and Barr. Dare Okerade as member, reinforcing the party’s internal dispute resolution structure within the ADC Primaries Committees process.
For the governorship primaries, the ADC announced two screening panels.
The first is chaired by S.E. Aruwa, SAN, with Femi Olawuyi, Esq as Secretary, and includes Lauretta Onochie, Chief Dr Vivian E. Ugochukwu, Akilu Indabawa, Ibrahim Mohammed Wali and Prof. Rabiu Bello as members.
The second governorship screening panel is chaired by Barr. Justina Abanida, with Hon. Chille Igbawua as Secretary.
Other members include H.E. Gerrard Irona, Sen. Yisa Braimoh, Hassan Mohammed Ibrahim, Joseph Ephraim Enemali and Navy Capt. Aliyu Ngolmo, reflecting a multi-layered approach to candidate assessment.
In addition, the party approved two Governorship Appeal Committees to address complaints arising from the primaries.
The first is chaired by P.I. Oyewole Esq, with Abdulhakeen Taiye Ibrahim as Secretary and Adah Usman as member, while the second is chaired by M.E. Sheriff Esq, with Barr. Realwan Okpanachi as Secretary and Barr. Hassan Yakubu as member.
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The ADC stated that the committees were carefully selected to ensure transparency, credibility, fairness and internal democracy throughout the conduct of its primaries, as the party intensifies preparations for its internal electoral process under the ADC Primaries Committees structure.
