Former Senator Shehu Sani
A political pressure group under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Capacity Movement, has rejected the purported endorsement of former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, as a consensus candidate for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The group described the endorsement as undemocratic, misleading and unacceptable, insisting that only a transparent direct primary election could produce a credible candidate for the contest.
In a statement signed by its President, Shehu Sado, the group alleged that the endorsement was carried out by “a few coerced and carefully selected individuals” who do not represent the interest of party members across the senatorial district.
The Capacity Movement argued that no credible consensus arrangement could emerge without broad consultations involving other notable aspirants and stakeholders in the race, including Yerima Shettima and Yusuf Zailani.
The group also expressed concern over alleged links between the endorsement exercise and interests within the Kaduna State Government, despite earlier assurances by Governor Uba Sani that there would be no anointed candidate in the state.
According to the statement, the development has raised questions over political fairness, transparency and internal democracy within the APC in Kaduna State.
The group warned that any attempt to impose a candidate or sideline other aspirants could deepen discontent among party loyalists and create avoidable political tension within the ruling party.
It therefore called on President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani, the national leadership of the APC and the Kaduna State chapter of the party to ensure a free, fair and transparent primary election process.
The Capacity Movement stated unequivocally that it was demanding direct primaries for the Kaduna Central Senatorial contest, warning that anything short of a credible democratic process would be challenged through legitimate political and legal means.
The group further cautioned that fielding what it described as an unpopular or imposed candidate in Kaduna Central could have serious political consequences for the APC in future elections.
