Fresh Crisis Rocks ADP As Presidential Candidate Condemns Alleged Plot Against His Ticket!

Abbas, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Friday, warned that replacing his name without his consent and outside the established legal and party procedures would amount to a serious threat to the democratic process.

However, the candidate did not provide independent evidence to substantiate the alleged plot. He said he had received information suggesting that political pressure was being mounted over the party’s presidential candidacy.

Abbas maintained that any decision concerning the ADP presidential ticket must comply with the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, the ADP constitution and regulations, as well as relevant procedures established by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He warned, “Any attempt to secretly substitute, withdraw, replace or otherwise compromise my candidacy without my express consent and without strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the constitution and regulations of the ADP, and applicable INEC procedures would constitute a grave assault on democratic principles and the rights of our members and supporters.”

The ADP candidate said he secured the party’s presidential ticket through its recognised processes, insisting that any subsequent decision regarding his candidacy must be transparent and firmly grounded in the law.

Abbas also rejected any suggestion that the presidential ticket could be used as a tool for political negotiations or private deals.

He said, “My mandate is not a personal possession of any individual, neither is it a political bargaining chip to be traded behind closed doors.”

He called on the leadership of the ADP to safeguard the credibility and integrity of the party’s presidential nomination process.

Among those he appealed to were the National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, members of the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, state chairmen and other key stakeholders within the party.

Abbas further urged the party leadership to preserve all official records connected to the presidential primary, nomination process, submission of documents and correspondence with INEC.

According to him, any decision to alter the party’s presidential ticket must be carried out through lawful, transparent and verifiable procedures.

He warned that allowing an individual or group to secretly change the ticket could erode the confidence of ADP members and supporters ahead of the 2027 elections.

The presidential candidate also called on political stakeholders to respect the rights of party members and ensure that established democratic procedures determine the party’s candidates.

Abbas stressed that the ADP presidential ticket belongs to the party and its members and should not be subjected to behind-the-scenes negotiations.

He stated, “Our party belongs to its members. Our mandate belongs to the people. And our democracy belongs to Nigeria.”

He subsequently urged ADP members and supporters to remain committed to democratic values while calling on the party leadership to ensure that every decision concerning the 2027 presidential ticket complies with the party’s constitution and Nigeria’s electoral laws.