Adamawa APC warns against candidate imposition

The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has dismissed reports that its governorship candidate, Tijani Galadima, has been replaced by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, ahead of the 2027 governorship election, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.

The party’s reaction came amid growing political tension in the state, with a group of elders from Adamawa Central Senatorial Zone warning that alleged imposition of candidates could cost the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu valuable votes in the next general elections.

Speaking exclusively with Arewa PUNCH on Thursday, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Dogo Victor, said the social media reports suggesting that Galadima had been dropped in favour of Ribadu were fabricated by individuals bent on causing disunity within the party.

“The list released on social media is fake. I saw it myself. There is no truth in it. It is the handiwork of enemies of democracy and those who want crisis in our great party because they see us winning the 2027 general elections,” Victor said.

The reports had claimed that the APC leadership was considering replacing Galadima after allegedly assessing his grassroots popularity and finding it inadequate, especially in rural communities where a large proportion of voters reside.

The speculation further suggested that Ribadu, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was being considered because of his political experience and previous governorship ambitions in the state.

Some of the reports also alleged that Galadima had only served as a placeholder pending Ribadu’s eventual entry into the race.

However, Victor insisted that no such discussions existed within the party.

“The party is not aware of any change of our governorship candidate, and I think there will be no change,” he said.

He urged party members and supporters to ignore the reports and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of creating unnecessary tension.

According to him, the APC remains united and focused on consolidating its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The party is focused on winning future elections, not on rumours being circulated by people who do not mean well for our progress,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa Central Senatorial Zone Elders have warned the APC leadership against what they described as attempts to impose candidates, warning that such actions could trigger internal discontent and weaken support for the party.

Addressing a press conference in Yola on Thursday, the group’s spokesman, Alhaji Mohammed Jimeta, recalled the political events leading to the 2015 elections and warned the ruling party against repeating what he termed past mistakes.

“In 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP chieftains sat in Abuja and appointed Malam Nuhu Ribadu as governorship candidate, but the people of Adamawa voted for the person they wanted as governor,” Jimeta said.

He argued that internal democracy and fairness must guide the party’s selection process ahead of the next elections.

Jimeta specifically raised concerns over the contest for the Adamawa Central Senatorial District, alleging that some party stakeholders were attempting to deny Abdulrahameed Abbati the opportunity to emerge as the party’s candidate.

According to him, considerations of equity favour Abbati, noting that other local government areas within the zone had previously produced senators.

“All the local governments in the central senatorial zone have produced senators. Why is the APC showing bias against the people of Yola North?” he asked.

The elders’ group warned that unresolved grievances could affect support for both the APC governorship candidate and President Tinubu in the state.

“There will be two losers — the APC governorship candidate and the President. To avert this political calamity, the injustice should be addressed now,” Jimeta said.

He also called on Ribadu to use his influence to ensure fairness within the party and help preserve support for the APC in Adamawa.

The warning comes as political activities continue to intensify across the state ahead of the 2027 elections, with consultations, alignments and grassroots mobilisation gathering momentum among major political actors.

Ribadu remains one of Adamawa’s most influential politicians, having contested the governorship election in 2015 before returning to the APC after a brief stint in the Peoples Democratic Party.

Political analysts believe that as the election season approaches, speculation over potential candidates and party tickets is likely to increase.

Despite the rumours and emerging internal concerns, the Adamawa APC leadership has maintained that Galadima remains its recognised governorship candidate and urged party faithful to remain focused on preparations for the next electoral cycle.