From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
An aspirant for the Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency seat in Katsina State, Ahmed Saleh Junior, has rejected the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election, describing the exercise as a “child’s play” and “a daylight robbery” of his mandate.
Saleh was reacting to the outcome of the primary election which produced the former Special Adviser on Girl Child Education in the state, Jamila Abdu Mani, as the winner.
According to the results announced, Jamila polled 24,989 votes, while Saleh secured 1,022 votes.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the announcement of the results, Saleh insisted that no genuine primary election took place, alleging that the process was deliberately arranged to favour a government-backed candidate.
He alleged that a few hours before the election, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested and detained him for several hours.
According to him, he was released only after what he described as a “kangaroo election” had been concluded, adding that the detention was aimed at excluding him from participating in the exercise.
Saleh recalled that during a Katsina State APC stakeholders’ meeting presided over by Governor Dikko Umar Radda at the Government House, a consensus method was unanimously adopted for the emergence of party candidates at all levels.
He further stated that he participated in a stakeholders’ meeting for the Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency, where he was unanimously endorsed as the party’s candidate.
However, he said that 24 hours later, some aspirants petitioned Governor Radda, alleging that the process was conducted without their consent.
Saleh explained that another meeting involving all five aspirants was later convened, during which he secured 25 votes out of 27 cast.
“But surprisingly, the party ticket was later handed to Jamila despite the fact that she did not secure a single vote,” he alleged.
He accused the state government of denying him his right despite the endorsements he received at two separate stakeholders’ meetings.
Saleh maintained that, in the interest of fairness and peace within the party, the Katsina State Government and APC leadership should uphold his endorsement by stakeholders of the constituency under the leadership of former Minister of Housing, Architect Musa Dangiwa.
He disclosed that he had already lodged a complaint with the reconciliation committee headed by former Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
“I am not leaving the APC. I will remain in the party and continue to work for its victory,” Saleh stated.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government has reacted to Saleh’s allegation regarding his alleged arrest by DSS operatives.
In a statement issued by the Director-General, Media, Maiwada Danmallam, the government distanced Governor Radda from the incident.
Danmallam stated that the state government has no control over the operations of the Department of State Services and had no involvement in Saleh’s arrest.
