Former Senator Shehu Sani has dismissed allegations of irregularities in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election in Kaduna Central, insisting that the exercise was peaceful, credible and reflected the will of party delegates.
Sani, who emerged victorious in the primary, made the remarks while addressing members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kaduna State Chapter, during a courtesy visit to congratulate him on his victory.
The former lawmaker responded to criticisms from his primary election rival and former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Zailani, who had reportedly questioned the outcome of the exercise.
Sani said losing candidates should demonstrate sportsmanship and accept the outcome of democratic contests, noting that victory and defeat are part of political life.
"In my political history, I contested elections twice and lost before I became a senator. When you lose an election, you should simply reset and reconfigure yourself for another opportunity," he said.
The APC candidate maintained that the primary election was conducted transparently and that evidence of the exercise was available for public scrutiny.
According to him, Zailani's defeat was not caused by any manipulation but by political miscalculations and strained relations with party structures at various levels.
Sani alleged that his opponent failed to maintain strong ties with party executives following the APC congresses and did not actively participate in party activities, including previous electoral campaigns.
He further argued that political success depended on grassroots engagement and cooperation with party stakeholders, stressing that no individual was entitled to an automatic ticket based on previous electoral victories.
The former senator also cautioned aggrieved aspirants against making statements capable of creating divisions within the ruling party, urging them instead to work towards APC's success in the forthcoming elections.
He called on all defeated aspirants to close ranks and support the party's candidates, emphasizing that several prominent politicians across the country had lost primary elections and moved on without undermining their parties.
Sani reiterated his commitment to party unity, saying the APC remained focused on consolidating its achievements and securing victory in future elections.
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