By Abdullateef Bambgose
A group, Igabi Youths and Women Forum, has listed what it described as the reasons former Kaduna State House of Assembly Speaker, Yusuf Zailani, lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Kaduna Central.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Saturday, the forum said Zailani’s strained relationship with party executives, stakeholders and grassroots supporters contributed to his defeat in the recent APC primary.
The statement, signed by Malam Mohammed Suleiman Igabi, accused the former speaker of refusing to recognise newly elected APC executives at the ward and Igabi Local Government levels after their inauguration.
The group also alleged that Zailani distanced himself from party activities and failed to participate actively in campaigns for recent bye-elections, including the Chikun/Kajuru House of Representatives contest and other state legislative elections.
It further claimed that during the 2023 general elections, the former speaker failed to deliver Igabi Local Government for the APC, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the area.
According to the forum, Zailani maintained poor relations with stakeholders and elected officials from his local government area, while many of his long-time associates became disillusioned with his leadership style.
The group also accused him of being largely absent from party and state functions in Kaduna over the past year and failing to attend key APC activities and official engagements.
The forum linked public dissatisfaction with Zailani to his tenure as Speaker under former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of supporting controversial policies, including demolitions, dismissal of public workers and crackdowns on critics.
It further alleged that the former speaker remained silent over recent political disagreements between El-Rufai and the current Kaduna State administration.
The group also accused Zailani of sponsoring political thuggery and empowering youths allegedly involved in violence and drug abuse in parts of Igabi Local Government Area, saying the development weakened his support base during the primaries.
According to the forum, several APC leaders and stakeholders in Igabi openly withdrew support for his senatorial ambition over disagreements with local party executives and political figures.
The group added that Zailani’s 20 years in the Kaduna State House of Assembly did not translate into sufficient developmental projects for his constituency, which it described as underdeveloped and plagued by security challenges.
It concluded that the combination of these factors weakened his political standing and led to his defeat in the APC primary.
The APC primary for Kaduna Central was won by former senator and rights activist, Shehu Sani.
