A prominent advocate for good governance, Shehu Gazali Sadiq, warned that elections in northern Nigeria could be halted if the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is excluded from the ballot. In a post on his verified X account, Sadiq said the safety of any northerner who votes “may not be guaranteed” and warned that “if ADC is not on the ballot, there will be no election in Northern Nigeria.” He added: “If you come out to vote, whatever you see accept it. This is both a threat and a warning.”
The message quickly went viral, generating more than 1,000 shares and reaching an audience of approximately 90,000 users. The warning prompted reactions from ADC supporters, many of whom expressed concern and said they would heed the advice.
Sadiq’s statement comes just hours before the Supreme Court is set to rule on a leadership dispute within the ADC that could affect the party’s participation in the upcoming national elections. The court’s decision is expected to clarify whether the ADC can field candidates in the 2023 poll.
The African Democratic Congress, a minor party that has struggled to secure significant representation in previous elections, has faced internal factionalism over its leadership. The pending court ruling could determine the party’s ballot status nationwide, including in the North, where security concerns have been heightened by previous incidents of electoral violence.
Election officials have not responded to requests for comment on Sadiq’s warning. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has previously emphasized its commitment to conducting free, fair, and safe elections across all regions, but security agencies have been on heightened alert following a series of threats ahead of the vote.
If the Supreme Court allows the ADC to contest the election, authorities will need to address Sadiq’s security concerns to ensure voter confidence in the northern states. Conversely, a ruling that sidelines the ADC could intensify tensions and potentially disrupt the electoral timetable in the region.
The outcome of the court decision and the response of security forces will be closely watched by observers and stakeholders as Nigeria prepares for one of its most contested elections in recent years.
