Deeper crisis erupted in the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) just as the campaign organisation of its Governorship candidate, Mohammed Sani Abbas, dismissed allegations that his emergence was an imposition, while aggrieved members insisted that no valid primary election was conducted to produce the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 governorship poll.

Besides, the party in the State NDC erupted, following a statement by aggrieved members rejecting what they described as attempts by the party’s National Working Committee to impose Abbas as the governorship candidate in violation of the Electoral Act.

However, addressing journalists in Kaduna, the Coordinator of the OK (Obi-Kwankwaso) Movement and Protem Director-General of the Mohammed Sani Abbas Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Ibrahim Kaya, maintained that there was no crisis in the state chapter of the party, but insisted that Abbas remained the only duly recognised governorship candidate.

“We are here to update the public and correct the false impression that there is a crisis in the Kaduna State chapter of the NDC,” Kaya said.

He added, “His Excellency, Barrister Mohammed Sani Abbas, was duly confirmed and uploaded by the national leadership after due process. There is no other recognised governorship candidate of the party in Kaduna State.”

Kaya pointed out that the NDC, registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission in December 2025, had followed due process in nominating candidates for various elective positions in line with its constitution and the Electoral Act.

He described disagreements among members as a normal feature of party politics, saying they should not be mistaken for a leadership crisis.

“It is normal for members to have different political interests, but that does not amount to a crisis. We are one family in the NDC, and all issues will be resolved through reconciliation,” he stated.

He dismissed claims that Abbas did not obtain nomination forms through the proper channel, insisting that the governorship candidate was duly nominated and presented by the party on June 7, 2026.

Kaya also accused some party leaders of exploiting aspirants and promoting ethnic and religious sentiments in the party, urging the national leadership to investigate the allegations and sanction anyone found culpable.

“We want politics devoid of ethnic, religious and sectional sentiments. Kaduna belongs to all of us, and we must work together to build a united party,” he said.

Meanwhile , in an earlier statement signed by the Kaduna State Publicity Secretary, Isaac Tanko, aggrieved members insisted that no governorship primary election was held on May 29, 2026.

According to the group, the party’s Electoral Committee, led by Prof. Silva Opuala-Charles, had directed the state chairman to convene a meeting of governorship aspirants to explore a consensus arrangement.

It said the meeting involving Ibrahim Hussaini Abdulkarim, Zariyi Yusuf Madaki and Mohammed Sani Abbas ended without agreement, while former Senator Danjuma La’ah later joined the race after purchasing nomination forms.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Kaduna State governorship primary election did not hold on May 29 because the Electoral Committee directed the state chairman to invite all aspirants for discussions on producing a consensus candidate,” the statement read.

“There was no consensus reached among the aspirants and, consequently, the governorship primary election scheduled for that day did not hold.”

The aggrieved members argued that recognising Abbas as the party’s candidate without conducting a valid primary would violate the Electoral Act.

They urged the party’s national leadership to seek an extension of the nomination period from the Independent National Electoral Commission and conduct a fresh governorship primary.

“Our demand is simple: arrange for the conduct of a valid governorship primary election, either by consensus or direct primary, in line with the Electoral Act. Anything short of this will amount to imposition, which is undemocratic, illegal and unacceptable,” the statement added.