The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention Coordination Committee, Alhaji Aminu Masari, has stated that public complaints by some members regarding access to nomination forms are intentional attempts to destabilise the party ahead of its national convention.
Masari, a former governor of Zamfara State, made the remarks during the APC World Media Briefing in Abuja on Thursday. The briefing preceded the party’s 8th National Convention, scheduled for March 27 to 28, 2026. Also present were Ministers Hannatu Musawa (Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy) and Festus Kyamo (Aviation and Aerospace Development), along with other senior party officials including Chief Sunday Dare and Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
Addressing queries about aspirants denied forms, Masari affirmed the APC’s adherence to a zoning system aligned with Nigeria’s federal character principle. He explained that forms were sold only to candidates contesting positions zoned to their respective regions. “When they say zoning is in Zone A and you are in Zone B, yet you try to buy a form in Zone A, we suspect you are only there to create confusion,” he said.
The committee chairman contended that such actions undermine the party’s structured arrangement, where both executive positions and working committee seats are distributed by zone. “If you are contesting a position that has not been zoned to your zone, how can you claim you have been treated democratically?” he asked, suggesting the complainants may be agents seeking to disrupt the party. He stressed the APC would not tolerate such moves and noted that no lawsuit had been served on the committee concerning the issue.
The briefing aimed to provide clarity on the convention’s preparations amid internal tensions. By framing the complaints as external interference, the party leadership sought to reinforce its narrative of an orderly, zoned selection process. The convention, a critical event for the ruling party, will finalise leadership positions and strategies ahead of future elections. The APC’s stance underscores its attempt to project unity and internal discipline, even as disagreements over candidacy persist among some members. The outcome of the convention and any resultant legal challenges will be closely watched for signs of cohesion within the party.
