An aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Saleh, has alleged unfair exclusion from the party’s primary in Katsina State.

Mr Saleh, popularly known as Ahmed Saleh Junior, raised the allegation while reacting to the outcome of the primary election in Mani on Saturday.

He said he was earlier endorsed by party stakeholders after the state chapter adopted a consensus arrangement.

According to him, stakeholders across the constituency unanimously backed his emergence as the consensus candidate.

He claimed his name was later published in the party’s official gazette following the endorsement.

“I was endorsed by stakeholders across the constituency and congratulated by party leaders, including the governor,” Mr Saleh said.

He alleged that some aggrieved aspirants accused him of influencing the stakeholders’ decision.

Mr Saleh said the complaints led to the cancellation of the earlier consensus arrangement by party officials.

He explained that a fresh consensus committee was later constituted by the party leadership.

According to him, another round of voting was conducted in the presence of all aspirants.

“Twenty-five out of twenty-seven stakeholders voted in my favour during the exercise,” he alleged.

He added that two stakeholders were absent for reasons not disclosed during the process.

Mr Saleh claimed the committee declared him winner before the ticket was later given to another aspirant.

“The committee announced me as the winner, but the ticket was eventually handed to someone else,” he alleged.

He further alleged that security operatives placed him under house arrest during the primary election.

According to him, the restriction prevented his participation in the direct primary process.

“The primary was conducted in my absence and results announced without my participation,” he said.

Mr Saleh said the party had since constituted an elders’ committee to address grievances arising from the exercise.

He reaffirmed support for President Bola Tinubu and pledged continued loyalty to the APC.

“I believe the elders’ committee will ensure justice, fairness and reconciliation,” he said.

Responding, Maiwada Danmalam, the Director-General of the Katsina Government House Media Directorate, said the state government was unaware of any detention claim.

 (NAN)