By Rosemary Ameh, Sokoto
A group, Concerned Elders for Peace, under the All Progressives Congress (APC), North-West zone, has called on National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, to take disciplinary action against a member of House of Representatives, Rep. Aminu Sani Jaji, who hails from the state, over alleged anti-party activities.
The elders in a statement through the Zonal Coordinator of the APC North West, Aliyu Mammani Kaura, accused Jaji of engaging in anti-party activities, including sponsoring media attacks on party leaders and promoting discord within the party.
According to them, Jaji’s actions have brought political instability, dishonour, and rancour to the party particularly in Zamfara State, citing his alleged romance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Zamfara State, as well as his alleged refusal to respect APC leaders, including Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari.
They stated that despite the party’s efforts to reconcile with Jaji, he continued to allegedly engage in divisive behaviour, using social media to attack party leaders.
The group warned that if Jaji’s actions were not checked, they could lead to the destruction of the party’s unity and cohesion in the state and the North-West region.
“The continued display of pride and disregard for party leadership by Hon. Sani Jaji has severe consequences that could lead to indiscipline and artificial problems for the party’s progress in Zamfara state.
“Jaji’s negative approach towards some party chieftains in Zamfara state is alarming and worrisome and can destroy the unity, discipline, and political development of the party in the North-West region.
“The recent personal attacks and utterances allegedly sponsored by Jaji’s political movement group on social media against former governors Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari and Hon. Bello Matawalle are disgusting and irresponsible.
“Also, the utterances of Jaji’s media aide, Mansur Aminu Khalifa, are equally irresponsible and exuberant, intended to malign, abuse, and insult party leaders who have sacrificed much to unite the party in Zamfara state.
“Despite knowing about Jaji’s recent meetings and political romance with the PDP-led government in Zamfara state, the APC in the state allowed him and his group to return to mainstream politics. However, they have continued to dissent on issues that bring disrepute to the party’s progress in the state.
“Although the party suspended Jaji and his aide last year due to their nefarious activities, including indiscipline and bad conduct, nothing has changed, and that makes it clear that Jaji’s behaviour is a result of his allegiance to external interests rather than the party’s well-being.
“As a political leader, Jaji should focus on serving his constituents and delivering services rather than sponsoring social media attacks against perceived political enemies.
“Zamfara APC is a family, and any action to destroy its hard-earned peace and unity should be resisted, hence, our call on the party’s leadership to act fast ahead of the 2027 elections”, the statement read,in part.
Nonetheless, Rep Jaji waved off the allegations, saying they were borne out of high mischief.
Reacting through his media aide, Mohammed Umar, the lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Ecological Funds, stressed that he is a loyal APC member and holds Senator Yari in high respect, describing him as “my boss.”
Rep Jaji stated: “I can never disrespect Senator Abdulaziz Yari. He is my boss. I served under him, and I hold him in the highest esteem. There is no circumstance under which I would seek to undermine him.”
His statement read: “The attention of Rt. Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, Member representing Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency of Zamfara, has been drawn to a fabricated story accusing him of anti-party activities.
“This baseless claim was made by a so-called Committee of Concerned Elders for Peace under the APC North-West.
“For the record, Rep. Jaji is a loyal and dedicated APC member. At no time has he attacked the party or disrespected its leaders in any of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. His commitment to the party is unwavering.
“The relationship between him and Sen. Yari has remained strong for many years. No politically motivated falsehood can alter this bond.”
According to the Rep, persons peddling the rumours are those who have lost political relevance in the state and were attempting to tarnish his reputation due to what he described as his growing influence.
Jaji added: “We urge those behind these false claims to stop using Senator Yari’s name for their selfish agenda and allow him to focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to Zamfara State.
“As a former Director General of Contact and Mobilization for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (North-West) and a devoted party member, Rep. Jaji will never act against the interests of the APC. He remains committed to the party’s success.”
The lawmaker challenged the accusers to step forward and unmask themselves seeing, he noted, that they are operating from behind a faceless group.
“The people of Zamfara will not forget in a hurry how the real author of these false allegations was involved in the diversion of 20 trucks of rice allocated to the state by the Federal Government,” he claimed, thus giving an inkling that he may know one of the accusers.
To him, the person behind the claims is a former PDP member who previously criticized the APC-led government, accusing it of sponsoring insecurity in Zamfara.
Re-emphasizing his loyalty to APC, Rep Jaji vowed to continue supporting the party’s growth and success in Zamfara and elsewhere.
