Aspirants seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Kano Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections have intensified calls for the adoption of direct primaries, insisting that party members should determine who emerges as the candidate.
The development comes amid early political consultations and alignments within the party, with several aspirants expressing concerns over alleged attempts to impose a preferred candidate through informal arrangements.
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Sources within the party disclosed that many contenders believe only a transparent and membership-driven process can guarantee fairness, strengthen party unity and produce a candidate capable of winning the election.
Under the APC constitution, candidates can emerge through direct primaries, indirect primaries or consensus arrangement. However, party insiders said efforts to build consensus among aspirants in Kano Central have yet to yield the required agreement.
Supporters of direct primaries argue that the method allows wider participation of party members across wards, unlike indirect primaries where only delegates determine the outcome.
They also believe that aspirants who can mobilise support at the grassroots level during primaries are more likely to perform strongly during the general election.
A campaign coordinator in Gwale said candidates seeking elective positions must demonstrate their popularity among party members before contesting the main election.
“If an aspirant cannot organise effectively at ward level, it may become difficult to build the needed momentum during the general election,” he said.
Some party stakeholders also maintained that direct primaries could help reduce post-primary disputes and strengthen internal democracy within the APC.
According to them, a transparent process would minimise grievances and discourage factional conflicts capable of weakening the party ahead of the elections.
Party officials familiar with the nomination process stressed the need for aspirants to comply with laid-down guidelines, including submission of forms, verification processes and engagement with party structures at ward and local government levels.
A party organiser in Tarauni said adherence to due process remained critical in protecting both the party and whoever eventually emerges as candidate.
“Once the rules are followed properly, it gives legitimacy to the process and protects the party from unnecessary disputes,” he said.
Findings by Headlinenews.news across parts of Kano Central, including Tarauni, Dala, Municipal, Gwale and Ungogo, indicated growing support among party members for direct primaries.
Some residents and party supporters interviewed said all aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity openly before party members.
Alhaji Bashir Garba, a grains trader in Dawanau, said direct primaries would reveal aspirants with genuine grassroots support.
Similarly, Ibrahim Yusuf, a youth coordinator in Ungogo, said wider participation by party members would strengthen confidence in the outcome of the exercise.
Hajiya Zainab Sule, a cooperative leader in Kumbotso, noted that a transparent process would help maintain peace within the party after the primaries.
Political observers say the APC’s decision on the mode of primaries in Kano Central could shape the party’s internal cohesion and electoral chances ahead of the 2027 polls.
The National Patriots Movement also backed calls for direct primaries, describing the process as the most credible means of ensuring legitimacy, unity and electoral strength within the party.
The group said allowing party members to decide the candidate would strengthen internal democracy and position the APC for victory in Kano Central during the 2027 elections.
By Imran Khazaly
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report
