No fewer than six members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State have formally challenged the outcome of the party’s ward and local government congresses by submitting petitions to the Appeal Committee.
The Chairman of the committee, Sadiq Mohammed-Ali, made this known on Sunday in Katsina during a media briefing convened to clarify issues arising from the exercise.
He explained that the committee had received complaints from some party members who were dissatisfied with aspects of the congresses, adding that meetings were held with the petitioners to carefully review their concerns.
Mohammed-Ali noted that considering the scale of the exercise across 361 wards and 34 local government areas, the number of petitions received remained minimal.
“Out of the entire wards and local government areas, the complaints recorded are quite few, which indicates a generally smooth process,” he said.
He added that available records showed that party rules and established procedures were largely followed throughout the conduct of the congresses in the state.
“Overall, the congresses were carried out in substantial compliance with the APC constitution and guidelines,” he stated.
The committee chairman further disclosed that deliberations on petitions arising from the ward congresses had been completed, with final reports already prepared.
“All matters relating to the ward congresses have been examined, addressed and concluded. We carefully reviewed the responses submitted and engaged with the relevant committees to ensure fair resolutions,” he said.
On the local government congresses, Mohammed-Ali said the committee was still accepting petitions and encouraged aggrieved members to formally submit their complaints through the designated channels.
“Our office at the APC secretariat remains open to receive written petitions, and submissions can also be made through the official WhatsApp platform previously announced,” he added.
He commended the local organising committee for maintaining neutrality and allowing the process to run without undue interference.
Earlier, the Chairman of the APC Congress Committee in Katsina, Yakubu Bashir-Bello, described the exercise as peaceful and transparent, noting that consensus arrangements were adopted in most areas following consultations with party leaders and stakeholders.
He concluded that the widespread acceptance of the outcomes reflected strong internal unity and confidence in the party’s democratic processes across the state.