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Kaduna APC: Protest As Senatorial Aspirants Dissastistied With The Primaries
The crisis following the senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State deepened on Tuesday as hundreds of supporters of aggrieved aspirants staged a protest against the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities and violations of party guidelines.
The protesters, who stormed major streets in Kaduna metropolis, including the ever-busy Muhammadu Buhari Way, formerly known as Waff Road, leading to the Ahmadu Bello Way (NEPA roundabout), demanded the cancellation of the primaries conducted across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The protest followed the emergence of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, former Governor Ramalan Yero and former Senator Shehu Sani as winners of the APC senatorial tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The demonstrators carried placards bearing inscriptions such as, “There was no APC primaries in Kaduna,” “Give us our preferred candidate,” and “APC must save democracy.”
The protest was led by former Senator Danjuma Laah alongside other aggrieved aspirants, including Michael Ayuba Auta and Yusuf Bala Ikara.
Earlier, at a press conference held at the Kaduna State Council Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the aggrieved aspirants warned that they would seek legal redress should the party fail to address their complaints.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Laah accused the party of abandoning the direct primary system approved by the APC National Working Committee.
He said, “The National Working Committee officially approved direct primaries for the exercise, but what was conducted was an unauthorised delegate system.”
The protesters alleged that party members were denied the opportunity to vote at the ward level in line with the approved guidelines.
The group particularly faulted the Kaduna South senatorial primary, which produced Katung as the winner, alleging a lack of transparency and proper monitoring during the exercise.
“A Senator, Sunday Marshall Katung, was illegally declared winner with over 7,500 votes purportedly cast by delegates despite the absence of proper voting procedures and party officials across the district,” the group alleged.
The aggrieved aspirants further claimed that electoral materials and officials were not adequately deployed across several wards and polling centres during the primaries.
According to them, the conduct of the exercise contravened Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 and Article 20 of the APC constitution, which relate to nomination procedures and internal democracy.
They therefore called on the APC National Working Committee, the party’s appeal committee and the Independent National Electoral Commission to intervene and order fresh primaries across Kaduna North, Kaduna Central and Kaduna South senatorial districts.
Among those identified by the group as aggrieved aspirants were former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Zailani, Mohammed Mu’azu Makkadas and several other contenders from the three senatorial zones.
The protesters warned that the party leadership’s failure to urgently address their grievances could undermine unity within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC senatorial primaries held in Kaduna State on Monday produced a mix of serving and former political heavyweights as candidates for the 2027 elections.
Katung retained the Kaduna South ticket, former Governor Yero clinched the Kaduna North ticket, while Shehu Sani emerged winner of the Kaduna Central senatorial primary.
However, the outcome of the exercise has continued to generate controversy within the party, with several aspirants alleging manipulation, exclusion of members and non-compliance with the approved mode of primaries.
UMUAHIA – State chairmen of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, have threatened to file contempt proceedings against the national chairman of the party, Senator David Mark and other principal officers over alleged violation of the April 29, 2026, order of the Federal High Court, which declared that the tenure of the state chairmen has not expired.
They accused Senator Mark of acting in violation of the order of the Federal High Court which preserved their tenure until a properly convened and valid national convention is held.
In a letter by their counsel, Kolawole Olowookere, titled; “Re: Demand for strict compliance with the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on 29th April,2026, in Suit No: FHC/CS/581/2026, Don Norman Obinna &6 ors vs ADC & 6 ors”,the state chairmen alleged that the National Working Committee,NWC,led by Senator Mark has taken actions in violation of the order of the Federal High Court.
The state chairmen also alleged that the Mark led NWC has planned a national convention of the party on 19th May, 2026, on the assumption that the tenure of the state chairmen will expire on that date, which is incorrect.
They further noted that the Mark-led NWC has commenced the sale of nomination forms to aspirants without their involvement, authorization and consent, and urged him to ensure that all actions taken by the party strictly conform with the constitution of the party and judgement of the Federal High Court.
The chairmen maintained that Mark’s action will mar the chances of the party in the 2027 general election.
They urged him to recognize the tenure of the elected state executive committees, suspend the sale of forms and fully comply with the order of the court.
Stressing that they remain committed to the party, the state chairmen also stated that safeguarding the ADC’s chances in the 2027 general election, requires strict adherence to the rule of law and compliance with the judgement of the Federal High Court.
The letter read;” We write to draw your attention to the subsisting judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on 29th April,2026. In the judgement,the court unequivocally recognized and affirmed that the tenure of our clients who are the duly elected state chairmen of the party remain valid and subsisting until the conduct of a valid national convention of the party.
“The legal implications of the judgement is clear and unambiguous. The elected chairmen continue to occupy their offices lawfully until a proper national convention of the party is convened in accordance with the constitution of the party and the order of the court.
“All steps taken by the party must strictly conform with the constitution of the party and order of the Federal High Court.
“Kindly note that any continuous disregard of the said judgement of the Federal High Court may expose the party and its principal officers to contempt proceedings and other appropriate legal actions.”
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Senator Jibrin Dares Ododo After Losing Senate Return Ticket, Says “The Battle Line Is Drawn’
The Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah has declared that “the battle line has been drawn” between himself and the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, following his loss at the Kogi East Senate primary election.
Jibril, who is one of the seven aspirants contesting for the senatorial ticket, alleged irregularities during the exercise, accusing government agents of hijacking electoral materials meant for the primary election.
Speaking after the exercise, where two votes were recorded against his name in his own ward, the senator said he arrived at his ward to cast his vote but discovered that no electoral officer showed up. He added that similar situations were recorded in many other wards across the district.
According to him, the absence of electoral officials and voting materials prevented party members from participating in the process in several affected areas.
He maintained that the development was a deliberate attempt to frustrate his supporters and influence the outcome of the primary election.
The senator further stated that the projects he has executed across Kogi East would guarantee victory for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including the President, in the senatorial district.
He said he had remained loyal to Governor Ododo and the leadership of the party, but wondered why he was being treated in such a manner despite his commitment and contributions to the APC.
He alleged that the governor went against him because he (Ododo) was told that he (Jubril) would contest the gubernatorial election against him. “Well, with the latest development, I will now contest for the governorship position against Governor Ododo when the time comes,” he said.
The senator called on the leadership of the APC to investigate the alleged hijacking of materials and ensure fairness in the party’s electoral process.
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