An APC aspirant in Zamfara, Hassan Umar Dangaladima, has petitioned the party’s national leadership, accusing its national chairman of bias in the planned rerun primary for Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency.
Dangaladima, accused the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, of unilaterally constituting the committee to conduct the exercise without following the party’s internal procedures.
Dangaladima conveyed his grievances in separate petitions to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC).
He alleged that the national chairman constituted the committee without convening an NWC meeting or obtaining the approval of the relevant party organs.
According to him, neither the NWC nor NEC deliberated on or ratified the committee’s composition.
He also claimed that the committee members were known loyalists or supporters of his main rival, Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, raising concerns about their neutrality.
Dangaladima argued that the alleged affiliations created a conflict of interest capable of undermining the credibility of the fresh primary.
The aspirant also questioned Jaji’s eligibility, claiming that his name was missing from the APC membership register for Birnin Magaji Ward submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said a Certified True Copy of the register obtained from INEC supported his claim.
Dangaladima further disclosed that his solicitors, Trinity Chambers, led by D.C. Enwelum, SAN, had written to the party on November 4, 2026, over the issue.
The letter reportedly relates to Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1060/2026 involving Dangaladima, Jaji and four others.
Citing Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act 2026, the petitioner argued that only persons whose names appear in a party’s membership register are eligible to vote or be voted for in party primaries, congresses and conventions.
He consequently maintained that Jaji’s alleged absence from the register raises questions about his eligibility to contest the exercise.
Dangaladima also accused the national chairman of keeping aspirants in the dark about the composition of the election committee.
He alleged that contestants were neither informed in advance nor given the opportunity to challenge members they considered unsuitable.
According to him, the process violated the principles of natural justice, internal democracy and transparency.
The petitioner urged the APC NEC to halt the proposed primary and constitute a fresh committee made up of individuals without affiliations to any of the aspirants.
He warned that proceeding with the existing arrangement could trigger further litigation and expose the party to the risk of losing its candidate for the constituency.
Dangaladima also cautioned that any defective implementation of the Court of Appeal’s directive could compound the party’s legal difficulties and damage its reputation in Zamfara.
Copies of the petitions were reportedly sent to the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), National Vice Chairman (North-West), National Legal Adviser and Zamfara State Chairman.
Others copied included the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Zamfara State Director of the DSS, INEC Chairman and the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state.
The national chairman, Jaji and other parties accused in the petition had yet to respond to the allegations in the material available for this report.