A group of businesswomen in Adamawa State campaigning for President Bola Tinubu's reelection in 2027 has appealed to National Security Adviser (NSA) Malam Nuhu Ribadu to intervene in the controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidacy for Adamawa Central Senatorial District.
Speaking at a press conference in Yola on Thursday, the group's leader, Hajiya Bilkisu Mohammed Song, expressed concern that the unresolved dispute could negatively affect the APC's electoral fortunes in the zone ahead of the 2027 general elections. She urged Ribadu, whom she described as the leader of the APC in Adamawa State, to address what she termed an injustice in the selection process.
"We are appealing to Ribadu as our son and leader because we do not want President Tinubu to lose even a single vote in Adamawa Central due to the injustice taking place in the zone," she said. "If this issue is not resolved, we will hold him responsible. We are mothers to Mustapha Salihu and all other contestants, but justice must prevail for peace, development, and unity. Women suffer the most whenever political crises escalate."
Bilkisu questioned the emergence of Mustapha Salihu as the APC senatorial candidate for Adamawa Central, arguing that the process lacked fairness and transparency. "We followed Mustapha Salihu throughout the 21 local government areas during his governorship campaign. It was therefore surprising to hear that he had emerged as the senatorial candidate for Adamawa Central. This raises serious concerns about internal democracy within the APC and contradicts President Tinubu's commitment to fairness and justice," she said.
The group called on Ribadu to support the emergence of Alhaji Aliyu Abbati Abdul-Hameed as the candidate for the district, citing the principle of equity and inclusion. According to Bilkisu, all local government areas within Adamawa Central have at one time produced senators except Yola North Local Government Area, which she noted has the highest voting population in the district.
"Yola South produced Senator Aishatu Binani, Song produced the late Senator Jubril Aminu, Fufore produced Senator Bello Tukur, Girei produced Senator Abubakar Girei, while Hong produced Senator Aminu Abbas, who is currently serving and is not seeking re-election," she said. "Mustapha Salihu is also from Hong Local Government Area. How then can we support what we consider an injustice? We are calling on our leader, Nuhu Ribadu, to intervene before this crisis affects the APC's chances in the 2027 elections."
Aliyu Abbati Abdul-Hameed, the immediate past Managing Director of NIRSAL Plc, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of Nigeria, contested the APC senatorial ticket alongside six other aspirants. One of the contestants, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, reportedly stepped down before the primary election. Mustapha Salihu had previously contested for the APC governorship ticket in Adamawa State and campaigned across all 21 local government areas during the party's governorship primaries.
