The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State on Sunday said it is ready to conduct its primaries this week and will field candidates for all elective positions in 2027.

The State Chairman of the party, Muhammad Tijani Mustapha, in an interview, said that the party has commenced the sale of nomination forms for the presidency, governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly.

While he revealed that none of the five governorship aspirants is willing to step down for one another, the Chairman, however, informed that “Screening for aspirants in Kaduna is in course, with committee members from other states arriving to oversee the process.

“We’ve been instructed to roll out House of Assembly forms, which we’ve done. Today is screening day,” Mustapha said. “The primaries will come up in the next four or five days, either Wednesday or Tuesday.”

He said the party cannot give an exact number of aspirants, as some collected forms in Abuja. Successful candidates after screening will contest either by consensus or direct election, which he described as “Option F4, everybody for everybody.”

Mustapha dismissed reports that ADC would not field candidates in some constituencies, calling it “a story created by people.” He said the party has aspirants of capacity in all three senatorial zones and across House of Representatives seats.

The chairman confirmed that five governorship aspirants, including former PDP governorship candidate Ashiru, are in the race. He said none of them agreed to step down during a meeting held three to four days ago.

“All of them are ready for screening, and after that, for the primaries – whether by consensus or election, that will be determined on the day,” he said.

On his personal alignment, Mustapha said he is backing Ashiru and Shuaibu Idris, also known as Mikati. He said both aspirants had identified with the “legacy” members of ADC, consulted with the party leadership, and shown respect for the structure.

“When coalition members came in, some wanted to hijack the party, but we, the legacy owners of ADC, didn’t allow it,” he said. “Some other gubernatorial aspirants don’t even care whether we exist or recognise us as a party.”

Mustapha, who also chairs the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Kaduna, said ADC would field candidates for governor, Senate, and down the ladder in the state.