BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

A fresh disagreement over who should fly the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag in the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency has exposed growing tensions within the party in Zamfara State, with one of the contenders accusing the national leadership of attempting to manipulate a court-ordered primary election.

Hon. Hassan Umar Dangaladima, an aspirant seeking the party's ticket, has called on the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) to intervene, alleging that the committee appointed to conduct the fresh primary is neither independent nor properly constituted.

At the centre of his complaint is National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, whom Dangaladima accused of handpicking members of the election panel without consulting other members of the party's national leadership.

The fresh exercise became necessary following an order by the Court of Appeal, but Dangaladima believes the party risks turning compliance with the court directive into another source of controversy if the disputed committee is allowed to proceed.

In a petition to the party leadership, he argued that the national chairman lacked the authority to make such an important appointment without the involvement and approval of the appropriate party organs. He also complained that other aspirants, the Zamfara State APC chapter and relevant stakeholders were excluded from the process.

But his strongest objection concerns the alleged political loyalties of the committee members.

Dangaladima claimed that some of those appointed have close political relationships with another contestant, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, creating what he described as a serious conflict of interest that could undermine confidence in the outcome.

He also questioned Jaji's eligibility, alleging that his name does not appear in the APC membership register for Birnin Magaji Ward submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

To support his position, the aspirant referred to a Certified True Copy of the register obtained from INEC and a formal demand issued on November 4, 2026, by his solicitors, Trinity Chambers, led by D.C. Enwelum, SAN, in connection with Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1060/2026.

Citing Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act 2026, Dangaladima maintained that only registered members whose names appear in a party's membership register can participate as voters or contestants in party primaries, congresses and conventions.

He therefore argued that Jaji should not be allowed to participate in the forthcoming exercise unless his membership status is established.

The aspirant also accused the party leadership of keeping contestants unaware of the identities of those selected to conduct the election, leaving them without an opportunity to raise objections against members they considered politically compromised.

He said the absence of prior disclosure, screening and consultation violated the principles of fairness and internal democracy, insisting that a committee facing such serious questions could not be trusted to conduct a credible election.

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Dangaladima has consequently demanded the immediate dissolution of the panel and its replacement with individuals who have no political allegiance to any of the contestants.

He warned that allowing the disputed committee to conduct the primary could trigger another round of litigation, create confusion over the party's eventual candidate and weaken the APC's position in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, Yilwatda has pushed back against the allegations, insisting that the APC national chairman does not independently make decisions on matters affecting the party.

Responding through his spokesperson, Abimbola Tooki, the national chairman described the claims against him as unfounded, maintaining that the NWC operates through collective deliberations and shared responsibility.

Tooki said the suggestion that Yilwatda personally appointed the committee without involving other members of the NWC misrepresented how the party conducts its affairs.

He explained that the national chairman works in consultation with other members of the committee, with decisions guided by the party's constitution and established procedures.

The spokesperson also dismissed the suggestion that the chairman acted independently in the Zamfara primary arrangement, insisting that the party remains committed to carrying out court orders and ensuring fairness in its internal electoral activities.

“The APC is a democratic institution governed by rules and collective responsibility, not the personal preferences of any individual,” Tooki said.

He reaffirmed the party's commitment to the rule of law, transparency and credible electoral processes, maintaining that no individual operates above the party's established decision-making structure.

With the two sides presenting sharply different accounts of how the election committee emerged, attention is now turning to whether the APC leadership will reconsider the panel or proceed with the arrangement already in place.

The outcome could determine not only the party's candidate for the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji constituency but also how successfully the Zamfara APC manages its internal disputes as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.