A former Kaduna Central senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Yerima Shettima, has withdrawn from the race and pledged support for all candidates of the party ahead of the forthcoming general election.
Shettima announced his withdrawal during a press conference on Sunday, saying the decision was reached after extensive consultations and careful reflection.
According to him, the move was made in deference to the decision of the APC regarding the Kaduna Central senatorial contest.
“After wide consultations and deep reflection, I have decided to respect the decision of our great party regarding the senatorial contest,” he said.
The former aspirant stressed that his withdrawal should not be viewed as an act of fear or weakness, but rather as a demonstration of loyalty to party unity and internal discipline.
“This decision is not borne out of fear, weakness, or cowardice, but rather from my unwavering commitment to party unity, discipline, and collective progress,” Shettima stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the APC and vowed to continue supporting the success of the ruling party at all levels.
“As a loyal and committed party man, I remain steadfast in my support for the APC and reaffirm my readiness to continue contributing my quota towards the victory of our great party,” he added.
Shettima also appealed to his supporters and political associates to remain calm and rally behind candidates produced by the party.
“The unity and success of the APC must remain our collective priority,” he said.
He further called for reconciliation among aggrieved members to strengthen cohesion within the party ahead of the elections.
The former aspirant expressed appreciation to members of the Capacity Movement led by Sani Shehu Sado and his campaign council for their support throughout the political process.
He also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.
“I hereby formally announce my withdrawal from the Kaduna Central Senatorial race in good spirit and align accordingly with party decisions,” he declared.
The development comes amid growing political realignments within the APC in Kaduna State following the party’s recent primary elections, which produced candidates for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In recent weeks, some aspirants and party stakeholders have raised concerns over the conduct of the primaries, alleging irregularities and manipulation in certain contests.
However, party leaders have continued to urge aggrieved members to embrace reconciliation and work towards preserving party unity.
What You Should Know
Yerima Shettima’s withdrawal reflects the internal adjustments often seen within Nigerian political parties after contentious primaries.
His decision to publicly align with APC leadership may help ease tensions within Kaduna’s political structure, where concerns over candidate selection have surfaced in recent weeks. Such withdrawals are often strategic, aimed at preserving political relevance and strengthening future alliances within the party.
By backing the party’s chosen candidates, Shettima signals loyalty to the APC hierarchy while positioning himself for possible future opportunities.
The move could also contribute to stabilising APC’s internal structure in Kaduna as the party prepares for the highly competitive 2027 elections.
