APC Aspirant, Hon. Abraham Katung Petitions Party Over Alleged Irregularities In Jaba/Zangon Kataf Primary Election
An aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Jaba/Zangon Kataf Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, Hon. Abraham Katung, has petitioned the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the constituency’s primary election held on May 16, 2026.
In a petition addressed to the Chairman of the APC Primary Election Appeal Committee, Kaduna State Chapter, Katung described the exercise as “illegal and undemocratic,” urging the party to cancel the outcome of the election.
According to the petition, the aspirant alleged that the primary election violated provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC Constitution.
Katung claimed that although the party initially adopted the direct primary method, which allows all registered party members to participate in the voting process, only a limited number of ward party executives were permitted to vote during the exercise.
He argued that the process effectively amounted to an indirect primary election, which he said is not recognized under Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 except in cases where all aspirants agree by consensus.
“The process adopted in Jaba/Zangon Kataf was an indirect primary conducted by a select group of party executives, without any resolution of the State Executive Committee and without the consent of all aspirants,” the petition stated.
The aspirant also accused security personnel present at the venue of allegedly aiding the manipulation of results in favour of the incumbent member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Amos Gwamna Magaji.
Katung alleged that fictitious results were written during the exercise and stated that pictorial evidence and witness testimonies had been attached to support his claims.
He further claimed that some ward and local government party executives were intimidated and threatened to support a predetermined candidate.
“Several excos have attested to being threatened with removal from office and exclusion from party activities if they failed to comply,” he alleged.
Katung maintained that the outcome of the election did not reflect the wishes of party members across the constituency’s 21 wards, adding that he had secured the support of more than 11,000 registered APC members prior to the primary election.
The aspirant called on the Appeal Committee and the APC National Working Committee to declare the election null and void, investigate the allegations of coercion and manipulation, and either recognize him as the rightful candidate or conduct a fresh direct primary election supervised by an impartial committee.
“The APC prides itself on internal democracy, rule of law, and fairness. Upholding these principles in Jaba/Zangon Kataf is critical to preserving party cohesion and securing victory in the constituency,” Katung stated.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State chapter of the APC had not issued an official response to the allegations.
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