One of the frontline aspirants for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, has alleged that ongoing moves to impose a consensus candidate for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District are aimed at undermining the electoral fortunes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and weakening the ruling party ahead of future elections.
He warned that any attempt to sideline credible aspirants through what he described as a “scripted consensus arrangement” could trigger an internal crisis and hand political advantage to opposition parties in Kaduna Central.
In a statement personally signed in Kaduna on Thursday, Shettima maintained that he remains one of the strongest contenders in the race and enjoys widespread grassroots support across the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial district.
According to him, the alleged endorsement of former senator, Shehu Sani, as a consensus candidate was not only undemocratic but also a calculated move capable of hurting the APC’s unity and electoral strength in the state.
He insisted that Kaduna Central is too politically strategic for the party to gamble with imposition, stressing that only a transparent and credible process would produce a candidate with the legitimacy and acceptance needed to mobilise voters for the APC and President Tinubu.
“We strongly reject the so-called consensus arrangement in its entirety. Kaduna Central cannot be sacrificed on the altar of political manipulation and backroom deals,” Shettima declared.
The senatorial hopeful argued that denying party members the opportunity to freely choose their candidate through direct primaries amounts to undermining internal democracy, inclusivity, and fairness within the APC.
He warned that attempts to impose candidates against the wishes of party faithful could deepen disaffection among loyal members and create avoidable cracks capable of benefiting opposition parties during the general elections.
“There is growing concern among party supporters that some forces are working to weaken the APC from within. Any move that alienates committed stakeholders and grassroots members is dangerous and could ultimately affect President Tinubu’s political standing in Kaduna State,” the statement added.
He called on the national leadership of the APC, Governor Uba Sani, and other critical stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants seeking the Kaduna Central senatorial ticket.
He specifically demanded the adoption of direct primaries, insisting that party members must be allowed to determine who flies the APC flag in the contest.
He vowed to challenge any attempt to impose a candidate through “every legitimate political and legal means available”, while reaffirming his commitment to the APC and the success of President Tinubu and Uba Sani’s administrations.
He stressed that free, fair, and credible primaries remain the only path towards sustaining party unity, preserving internal democracy, and guaranteeing victory for the APC in Kaduna Central and beyond.
Kaduna APC aspirant rejects consensus plot, warns against imposition of candidate