Alhaji Yerima Shettima, a leading aspirant for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised serious concerns over alleged efforts to impose a consensus candidate, warning that such moves threaten the electoral strength of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling party ahead of upcoming elections. In a statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday, Shettima accused party leaders of orchestrating a “scripted consensus arrangement” that he claims undermines internal democracy and could hand political advantage to opposition parties in the strategically important senatorial district. He emphasized that Kaduna Central, comprising seven local government areas, is too vital to be decided through backroom deals, insisting that only a transparent and inclusive process can produce a candidate with genuine grassroots legitimacy.
Shettima maintained that he remains one of the strongest contenders in the race, backed by widespread support from party members across the district. He rejected the rumored endorsement of former senator Shehu Sani as a consensus candidate, calling it undemocratic and a calculated attempt to weaken the APC’s unity and electoral prospects. According to him, sidelining credible aspirants through imposition risks deepening internal divisions and alienating loyal party members who expect fair representation. He warned that such actions could create avoidable cracks within the party, ultimately benefiting opposition forces during the general elections.
The senatorial hopeful stressed that denying party members the right to choose their candidate through direct primaries violates core principles of inclusivity, fairness, and internal democracy. He urged the national leadership of the APC, Governor Uba Sani, and other key stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants. Shettima specifically called for the adoption of direct primaries, arguing that party members must be allowed to freely determine who will carry the APC banner in the election. He vowed to challenge any attempt to impose a candidate through every legitimate political and legal means available, reaffirming his commitment to the APC and the success of President Tinubu’s administration.
Shettima’s statement highlighted growing concern among party supporters that certain forces are working to weaken the APC from within. He stressed that any move alienating committed stakeholders and grassroots members is dangerous and could negatively affect President Tinubu’s political standing in Kaduna State. He insisted that free, fair, and credible primaries are essential for sustaining party unity and guaranteeing electoral victory. As the race for the Kaduna Central senatorial ticket intensifies, the outcome will likely shape the APC’s political trajectory in one of Nigeria’s most competitive electoral zones.
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