APC convention form sales defended by Aminu Masari, who cites zoning rules and denies claims of unfair treatment of aspirants

Alhaji Aminu Masari, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention Central Coordination Committee, has clarified why some aspirants were denied access to nomination forms ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for March 27–28, 2026.

Also read: Ondo APC leaders praise Aiyedatiwa, warn against distraction

Speaking at the APC World Media Briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Masari explained that the measures were guided by the party’s zoning principles and were not intended to discriminate.

“People who came to buy forms for positions zoned to their zones were sold forms. But when they try to buy a form in a zone not assigned to them, we suspect an attempt to create confusion,” he said.

The former Zamfara State Governor stressed that the APC is a responsible party committed to federal character and democratic processes.

He warned that attempts to bypass zoning could destabilise the party and noted that no legal action had yet been taken regarding the issue.

Masari’s remarks were made in the presence of top party officials, including Ministers Hannatu Musawa and Festus Keyamo, Vice Chairman Pius Ayim, and Special Advisers Chief Sunday Dare and Bayo Onanuga.

He emphasised that all aspirants contesting positions within their designated zones were treated fairly and in accordance with party guidelines.

“The structures of the party are based on zoning, and the working committee members are also distributed according to zones. Any claim to the contrary may be from agents seeking to disrupt our processes,” Masari added.

Also read: 2027: Adesina, Adisa, Ogundipe urge Tinubu to save Oyo APC from alleged manipulators

The APC convention, which will bring together party delegates from across Nigeria, remains on course, with the leadership assuring all stakeholders of a transparent and orderly nomination process.