# APC Aspirant Challenges Election Panel Composition for Zamfara Primary Hassan Dangaladima alleges bias and procedural violations in the upcoming party primary election. - **Source:** [Premium Times Nigeria](https://www.premiumtimesng.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d54b391f-3516-440f-838f-b7c57af00051 ## Primary Election Dispute Emerges Hassan Dangaladima, a House of Representatives aspirant for the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji constituency, has formally challenged the election panel established by the All Progressives Congress. The panel was created following a Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the previous primary results, necessitating a fresh exercise to select the party's candidate. ## Allegations of Unilateral Action Dangaladima claims that APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda acted unilaterally in forming the committee without consulting the National Working Committee. He argues that this lack of collective deliberation violates the party's constitution and internal democratic principles, as no quorum was convened to ratify the specific composition of the oversight panel. ## Conflict of Interest Concerns The petitioner alleges that the committee members are loyalists of his opponent, Aminu Sani Jaji, creating a manifest conflict of interest. Dangaladima contends that this bias undermines the credibility of the upcoming primary, as aspirants were not given notice or an opportunity to object to the selection of these specific individuals. ## Eligibility of Opponent Questioned Beyond panel composition, Dangaladima challenges the eligibility of Aminu Sani Jaji to participate in the primary. He cites a certified copy of the APC membership register from INEC, claiming Jaji's name is absent. Under Section 77(5) of the 2026 Electoral Act, only registered members are eligible to vote or be voted for. ## Legal and Procedural Arguments Dangaladima's petition asserts that the process violates the rules of natural justice, specifically the principles of audi alteram partem and nemo judex in causa sua. He argues that the failure to implement a transparent screening mechanism for committee members compromises the requirement for a fair, credible, and INEC-monitored primary election process. ## Party Leadership Denies Claims Abimbola Tooki, media aide to Chairman Yilwatda, rejected the allegations of unilateral decision-making. He insisted that the APC National Working Committee operates as a collective body. According to the response, all administrative actions and committee formations are conducted through established consultative procedures in accordance with the party's internal governance mechanisms. ## Call for Immediate Review The aspirant has formally requested that the National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee suspend the scheduled primary election. He seeks a full reconstitution of the panel to ensure impartiality. It remains unclear if the party leadership will grant this request or proceed with the current committee as originally planned. ## Broader Implications for Party This dispute highlights ongoing internal tensions within the APC regarding candidate selection and adherence to the Electoral Act. As the party prepares for future electoral cycles, the resolution of this conflict will serve as a test of its internal dispute resolution mechanisms and its commitment to transparent, democratic primary processes in Nigeria. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/924327-2027-reps-aspirant-faults-election-panel-constituted-by-apc-chair.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._