ADC Primary Election Disrupts as Electoral Materials Allegedly Hijacked

The Central primary election of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) failed to hold on Thursday, May 21, 2026, following allegations of hijacking and diversion of electoral materials across several wards in the district.

Party members had turned out as early as 8:00 a.m. across multiple polling locations, including Adavi-Eba, Egge, Idanuhu, Kuroko, Nagazi Farm Centre, Eika-Ohizenyi, Obangede, Uhuodo, Oboroke Eba, and Oboroke I wards, but were left stranded as election officials and materials failed to arrive on schedule.

According to reports from the affected areas, participants waited for hours without any official commencement of the exercise, raising frustration and tension among party faithful.

A senior ADC figure, Hajia Maryam Salihu, who visited several wards earlier in the day, appealed for calm and urged members to remain patient, assuring them that electoral officials were still finalising arrangements in Lokoja.

However, the situation reportedly escalated around 2:30 p.m. when information emerged that electoral materials had been released to officials designated for the exercise.

Some sources alleged that agents of aspirants were pressured into signing for the materials before officials departed Lokoja for the Central District.

There were further allegations that the materials were later diverted to undisclosed locations, with claims that the development may have been part of an attempt to manipulate the outcome of the primaries.

Party members in the affected areas accused some political actors, including Senator Ogembe and alleged allies, of orchestrating the disruption and influencing the electoral process in favour of selected aspirants.

As of the time of filing this report, the ADC leadership had not issued an official statement on the failed primary or the allegations surrounding the handling of electoral materials.

Meanwhile, aggrieved party members have called on the national leadership of the ADC, led by former Senate President David Mark, to urgently intervene and restore order within the party’s internal electoral process.