APC appeals panel upholds Shehu Sani's selection as Kaduna Central Senatorial District candidate

SENATOR Shehu Sani's selection as the All Progressives Congress' (APC) candidate to stand in the Kaduna Central Senatorial District has been upheld by the party's appeals committee despite fierce objections from Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Over recent weeks, the ongoing battle between Senator Sani and Governor El-Rufai threatened to tear the APC chapter in the state apart. Senator Sani had been given an automatic ticket to stand again but Governor El-Rufai refused to accept this, saying that the legislator must be punished for his role in denying the state access to a World Bank loan.

Earlier this month, fresh elections were conducted by Governor El-Rufai in which Mallam Uba Sani, one of his special advisers emerged victorious with 2,088 votes to the senator’s 15. However, the result was scoffed at by Senator Sani, who had refused to participate in the elections, calling them a kangaroo charade, pointing out that the party had already adopted him as its candidate.

As the spat between both men intensified, the matter was referred to the APC's appeals committee chaired by Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, which has just ruled in favour of Senator Sani. After hearing from both sides, five-man panel ruled that senator Sani is the only candidate recognised by the party.

Other members of the committee include its secretary Mike Ugwa, Musa Gwadabe, Reuben Famuyibo and Abdulrahman Adamu. Mr Uba Sani is believed to have instituted a suit against the APC leadership where he compelled them to conduct primaries and is now expected to withdraw this following the decision of the panel.