Zailani, Uba Sani’s aide stir controversy over allegations of electoral malpractices

What started as a disagreement over APC primary elections in Kaduna State has grown into a full-scale political trading of recriminations, with party leaders openly exchanging accusations, threats and damaging revelations. At the centre of the crisis is a former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, who alleged that APC […]

What started as a disagreement over APC primary elections in Kaduna State has grown into a full-scale political trading of recriminations, with party leaders openly exchanging accusations, threats and damaging revelations.

At the centre of the crisis is a former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, who alleged that APC primary elections were manipulated and that some party leaders were misleading President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The controversy took an explosive turn when Governor Uba Sani’s Senior Political Adviser, Muhammad Abubakar Mamadi, responded by saying both he and Zailani had been involved in writing election results in the past.

The exchange has exposed deep divisions within the ruling party and highlighted the growing battle for political relevance and influence ahead of the 2027 elections.

Zailani had accused party leaders of abandoning fairness during the primaries and warned that such actions could weaken the APC in future elections.

Zailani spoke while addressing party loyalists in Igabi which was recorded and has been shared across platforms.

In The video seen by Daily Trust, Zailani said, “I thought they would conduct the process fairly, person against person, shoulder to shoulder, but they disappointed me,” he said.

He also said that some individuals within the party were not acting in President Tinubu’s best interest.

“What they did was a complete betrayal of Tinubu. Mr. President, whatever they are telling you is false.”

However, Mamadi’s response quickly shifted the debate from the primaries to questions about political credibility and past electoral conduct.

Similarly, Mamadi while addressing the party supporters said,  “I heard former Speaker Yusuf Zailani saying that primary election results were written and therefore we cannot win the general elections.”

He then made what many observers consider the most explosive statement in the entire controversy.

“I want people to think carefully. We are not drug addicts; we have our senses. He, I, and others have written general election results in Igabi before not once, not twice. If he has forgotten, he should be reminded that we have done it several times.”

Mamadi insisted he was referring to general elections rather than party primaries. “I am talking about general elections, not primary elections” . The remarks appeared designed to undermine Zailani’s moral authority to complain about alleged manipulation by suggesting that he had benefited from similar practices in the past.

Mamadi did not stop there.

Responding to Zailani’s repeated claims that nobody could intimidate him, the governor’s adviser said, “When he says nobody can intimidate him, he is lying. There was a time when the Commissioner of Police was looking for both of us and we fled through Turunku.”

He also argued that Zailani’s current anger stems from the loss of political influence.

“He ruled for 20 years, and now that power has slipped from his hands, he is disturbed.”

The governor’s allies have largely echoed that position, portraying the former Speaker as a politician struggling to adjust to changing political realities.

One of the strongest attacks came from Hussaini Jalo Rigachikun, the member representing Igabi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and APC candidate.

Rejecting Zailani’s claim that elections were not properly conducted, Jalo pointed to the emergence of elected officials across the constituency as proof that the process was credible.

“I was elected, and Shehu Sani was elected as Senator representing Kaduna Central. Abdulrahman Market will replace Zailani in the State Assembly. Therefore, Zailani is lying when he says elections were not conducted.”

Jalo suggested that the former Speaker’s frustration stemmed from the fact that Governor Uba Sani denied him of any influence in the LGA.

The lawmaker also warned that the party would not tolerate continuous attacks on the governor.

“He should stop insulting the governor and party leaders. He says he fears no one and will expose secrets; we too can expose secrets.”

He further warned: “This is a fight to the finish.” He further revealed that disciplinary discussions were already underway.

“The party is already documenting his mistakes and preparing to take action against him.”

“If it becomes necessary to initiate a recall process against him, we will do so without hesitation.”

The APC Chairman in Igabi Local Government Area, Bashir Jibirin Jaji, also joined the growing list of party leaders confronting Zailani.

Jaji accused the former Speaker of turning against a political structure that had supported him for years.

“There is no one, whom Igabi Local Government has given more opportunities, benefits and privileges than him.”

According to the APC chairman, Zailani’s criticisms are driven by bitterness over losing power.

“Because Allah took power from him and gave it to others, he has become bitter and is trying to damage Igabi.”

Jaji also made it clear that the party would not ignore what it sees as attacks on Governor Uba Sani.

“As a party, we will not accept the insults and attacks that Zailani is directing at the governor.”

“We will take party disciplinary action against him if necessary.”

As the crisis intensified, the APC Stakeholders and Supporters Forum entered the debate, accusing Zailani of hypocrisy and political grandstanding.

The group’s spokesman, Alin Malama Idris at a news briefing argued that the former Speaker was a product of the same political system he now condemns.

“Yusuf Zailani has been a by-product of the type of election outcome he claimed to have happened.”

“He has been an active beneficiary of the type of elections he is accusing APC of.”

The forum also dismissed Zailani’s allegations against Governor Uba Sani.

“For him to accuse Governor Uba Sani of manipulating primaries is just nonsense.”

On Zailani’s claim of closeness to President Tinubu, the group was equally dismissive.

According to Alin Malama, Governor Uba Sani and Senator Shehu Sani have known Tinubu for decades and played significant roles during Nigeria’s democratic struggles long before Zailani emerged on the political scene.

The forum challenged him to prove his political strength outside the APC.

“We expect Zailani to leave the APC now and contest on another platform if he is that powerful politically, as he claims to be.”

The forum further urged the party national leadership to call the former speaker to order ahead of the 2027 election.

The controversy has also exposed the intensity of the power struggle currently unfolding within Kaduna APC. Behind the accusations lies a battle over who controls the party structure, who speaks for President Tinubu in Kaduna and who will shape the party’s future ahead of 2027.

For now, the crisis shows no sign of ending. Instead, it continues to deepen, with rival camps openly threatening to reveal more secrets and take disciplinary action against one another.

 

‘Public admission of electoral fraud requires thorough investigation’

Political commentator and legal practitioner, Barrister Aminu Abdulrasheed, described the alleged admission as a serious matter that should not be ignored by relevant authorities.
According to him, any individual who publicly admits or claims to have participated in electoral malpractice, particularly through the manipulation of ballot boxes or election results, should immediately become the subject of investigation by security agencies and electoral authorities, especially the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He further urged public-spirited Nigerians to submit petitions to relevant agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to ensure that the matter is properly investigated.

Barrister Abdulrasheed, however, noted that a public confession alone may not be sufficient to secure a legal conviction. He explained that while an admission of wrongdoing is significant, it must be supported by evidence capable of proving the offence in court.

He therefore called on Nigerians to take the matter seriously and pay closer attention to the character of individuals they elect into public office.

He  also urged citizens to use democratic means to hold such individuals and their associates accountable by refusing to re-elect them or support their return to public office.

According to him, this is necessary to strengthen and sanitize Nigeria’s democracy, ensuring that people who openly admit to wrongdoing are not entrusted with positions of public responsibility.

He described the situation as both shameful and unfortunate, noting that it is disturbing that individuals can publicly boast about committing electoral offences and still move about freely without facing consequences.

 

Admission of an offence can form basis for prosecution — Barrister El-Zubair Abubakar

Kaduna-based legal practitioner, Barrister El-Zubair Abubakar, also condemned the public admission of electoral malpractice, describing it as unfortunate and troubling.

He stated that once such a statement is made publicly, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) within the jurisdiction where the statement was made should invite the individual involved to verify the authenticity of the admission.

According to him, if the individual confirms making the statement, law enforcement authorities have a duty to take the person’s statement and initiate legal proceedings. The courts would then determine whether the admission constitutes a criminal infraction under the law.

Barrister Abubakar maintained that where a person openly confesses to involvement in electoral malpractice, especially concerning past elections, the matter should be investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted.

He emphasized that criminal offences generally remain prosecutable regardless of how much time has passed since they were committed. Therefore, an offence allegedly committed several years ago can still be subject to legal action if sufficient grounds exist.

However, he expressed pessimism about the likelihood of such action being taken in Nigeria, arguing that law enforcement agencies often fail to pursue politically sensitive cases.