I won the primaries but was later replaced with Umar Jega, and he was also replaced with Mansur Musa Jega after allegedly giving huge graft to Wambai, who facilitated my replacement after I was declared by INEC as the winner of the primaries
By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
The leadership crisis rocking the Malami-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has deepened, with another candidate for the Gwandu Federal Constituency challenging his alleged replacement before the Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi.
The candidate, Abubakar Labbo Gwandu, has instituted a legal action against Muhammad Umar Jega and Mansur Musa Jega, alongside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking to reclaim the party’s ticket.
Labbo alleged that he emerged winner of the party’s legally conducted primary election for the Gwandu Federal Constituency but was subsequently replaced by Muhammad Umar Jega.
According to him, Umar Jega was later removed and replaced by Mansur Musa Jega, whom he described as another beneficiary of an allegedly improper substitution process.
Labbo further alleged that the changes were facilitated through financial inducements to a party official identified as Wambai.
“I won the primaries but was later replaced with Umar Jega, and he was also replaced with Mansur Musa Jega after allegedly giving huge graft to Wambai, who facilitated my replacement after I was declared by INEC as the winner of the primaries,” he said.
He said the alleged replacement was carried out without his knowledge or consent, prompting him to approach the Federal High Court to seek redress and reclaim his candidature.
Labbo explained that he had joined INEC, Muhammad Umar Jega and Mansur Musa Jega as defendants in the suit, adding that the matter had already come up for its first hearing before the court proceeded on vacation.
He maintained that he was never consulted at any stage of the substitution process and did not authorise the party to replace him as its candidate.
Labbo said the court action became necessary because of what he described as an injustice against him, insisting that the outcome of the primary election should be respected.
The latest suit adds to the growing internal disputes within the ADC in Kebbi State, particularly over the alleged substitution of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.