Politics
OPINION: A CALL FOR MERITOCRACY- WHY IMPOSITION COULD BE APC’s ACHILLES’ HEEL IN KADUNA CENTRAL By Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani
OPINION: A CALL FOR MERITOCRACY- WHY IMPOSITION COULD BE APC’s ACHILLES’ HEEL IN KADUNA CENTRAL
By Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani
The beauty of a thriving democracy lies in the power of the people to choose leaders based on track records, credibility, and the collective will of the constituents. However, a recent video featuring the Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government, Hon. Sadiq Mamman Lagos, has raised fundamental questions about the direction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State. In the video, the Commissioner purportedly endorsed Comrade Shehu Sani for the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat, citing “competence” as the yardstick.
As a stakeholder and a dedicated member of the APC from Afaka Ward, Igabi Local Government, I find this development not only disappointing but politically alarming. It forces us to ask a critical question: Are the Kaduna State Government and Hon. Sadiq Mamman Lagos working to strengthen the APC, or are they inadvertently orchestrating its downfall?
The Lessons of History
We must look back to 2015 to understand how the APC rose to power. It was a movement built on the rejection of the PDP’s culture of imposition. The PDP fell because it ignored the grassroots and forced incompetent or unpopular candidates upon the electorate.
Endorsing Comrade Shehu Sani to contest against a formidable and grounded figure like Rt. Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, FCNA, is to put it bluntly political suicide. To ignore the grassroots influence and legislative pedigree of Zailani in favor of an endorsement that lacks popular backing is a gamble the party cannot afford.
A Matter of Credibility and Competence
The claim that this endorsement is based on “competence” holds little water when placed under scrutiny. In the political landscape of Kaduna Central, does Comrade Shehu Sani possess the current credibility to withstand the influence and reach of Rt. Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani?
While I am a staunch supporter of Zailani, my loyalty is first to the progress of Kaduna and the success of our party. If it can be proven that Shehu Sani is the superior candidate through a transparent process, I would be the first to follow. But politics is not played on the pages of newspapers or in closed-door endorsements; it is played in the hearts of the voters.
A Warning to Stakeholders
To the Kaduna State Government, Hon. Sadiq Mamman Lagos, and all party stakeholders: we must tread with extreme caution. There is an old wisdom that warns: *It takes only one jump to fall into a well, but a thousand jumps will not get you out.* Imposing a candidate against the grain of popular demand is that one jump. If the APC loses Kaduna Central because it failed to listen to the people, the repercussions will be felt far beyond this senatorial district.
The Path Forward: Free and Fair Primaries
The solution is simple and remains the bedrock of the APC’s progressive ideology: Let there be a free and fair primary election.
If the leadership believes in the competence of their preferred candidate, they should have no fear of a democratic contest. Let the aspirants go to the field. Let the voters decide. Only a candidate who emerges through a transparent process will have the moral authority and the grassroots fire required to win the general election.
We must prioritize the survival of the party over personal interests. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past.
*Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani (Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu) writes from Afaka Ward, Igabi Local Government, Kaduna State.*
Politics
Atiku Set To Clinch ADC Presidential Ticket, Leads Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen In 34 States
Atiku Set To Clinch ADC Presidential Ticket, Leads Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen In 34 States
Former Vice President of Nigeria and frontline presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, is projected to emerge winner of the party’s presidential primaries, according to impeccable sources in Abuja.
The primaries, conducted across over 8,000 wards in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, reportedly placed Atiku far ahead of his closest rivals — former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Highly placed party insiders disclosed that Atiku is currently leading in 34 states, including the FCT, after securing dominance across the 19 Northern states, the five South-East states, and the six South-West states, while also maintaining a strong showing in at least three states in the South-South geopolitical zone.
The sources added that the outcome reflects what they described as “an overwhelming nationwide acceptance” of the former vice president within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, the ADC leadership has invited members of the press to the official announcement of the final collated results scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Abuja.
The declaration of results is expected to be broadcast live on ARISE Television and two other major television stations, while also being livestreamed on the party’s official social media platforms on X and Facebook.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, the founding National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, said the decision to televise the exercise live was aimed at promoting transparency and democratic accountability.
“We want millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to witness democracy in action,” Nwosu said.
He further revealed that the party leadership would encourage all three presidential aspirants to publicly embrace a peace accord and commit themselves to working together in unity for the party’s success.
According to him, the move is necessary to strengthen internal cohesion and position the ADC for victory in the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Details later.
Politics
Popular Journalist, Hon. Olushola Arike Ayekoto Emerges ADC Candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency
Popular Journalist, Hon. Olushola Arike Ayekoto Emerges ADC Candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency
Joy and celebration filled the air for popular broadcaster and veteran journalist, Olushola Arike Ayekoto, after emerging as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the House of Representatives seat representing Alimosho ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the party’s primary election held last week, the prominent female politician defeated her co-contender, Hon. Mojeed Anjolaiya, by a wide margin to secure the party’s ticket.
Although several political developments and consultations had earlier taken place within the ADC concerning who would eventually fly the party’s flag for the federal constituency seat, the contest was finally decided at the primary election where Arike emerged victorious.
Speaking after the exercise, members of the ADC in Alimosho expressed confidence in her leadership ability and political experience, describing her as a capable and grassroots-oriented personality who possesses the qualities needed to effectively represent the people at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Party faithful also noted that her long-standing experience as a professional journalist and public commentator has positioned her as someone who understands the needs and challenges of the people.
Following her emergence, Hon. Arike Olushola expressed deep appreciation to the people of Alimosho for their support and confidence in her candidacy.
She also thanked party leaders, elders, and stakeholders within the ADC for giving her the opportunity to represent the party in the forthcoming election.
According to her, she would not disappoint the electorate and assured party members that their trust in her would be justified.
The ADC candidate further appealed to all members of the party to remain united and work together for the overall success of the party at all levels in the 2027 elections, including the presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly contests.
She expressed confidence that the ADC would record massive victories in 2027, declaring that the party is fully prepared to take over leadership from the ruling party.
Politics
Northern Women Group Urges APC To Protect Dankaka’s Senatorial Mandate
Northern Women Group Urges APC To Protect Dankaka’s Senatorial Mandate
A prominent Northern women’s socio-political organisation, Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa, has appealed to the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress to protect the senatorial mandate of Dr. Muheebah Dankaka for Kwara South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated May 24, 2026 and addressed to the APC National Chairman in Abuja, the group described Dankaka as the only female senatorial candidate from Northern Nigeria to emerge victorious during the party’s primaries.
The letter, signed by the National President of the group, Hajiya Rabi Musa Saulawa, stated that out of the 109 senatorial seats nationwide, only three women secured APC senatorial tickets, with Dankaka emerging as the sole female candidate from the North.
According to the group, Dankaka’s victory reflected “the strong endorsement of the people” of Kwara South and symbolised renewed hope for greater female representation in the country’s political leadership.
The organisation warned that any attempt to undermine or substitute her candidacy could negatively affect the relationship between Northern women and the ruling party.
The letter partly read, “Any attempt to undermine or substitute her victory will be viewed by Northern women as a painful disregard for their loyalty, sacrifices, and contributions to the growth of the Party.”
The group also recalled its contributions to the APC’s electoral successes in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections through grassroots mobilisation and voter education across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It further urged the APC leadership to adopt policies that would encourage more competent Northern women to occupy elective and appointive positions, especially in the Senate and other strategic offices.
“We further urge the Party to adopt deliberate and sustained measures aimed at raising more competent Northern women for elective and appointive positions,” the letter added.
The group expressed confidence in the leadership of the APC National Working Committee to uphold what it described as the freely given mandate of Dr. Muheebah Dankaka by the people of Kwara South.
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