‘My Name Was Dropped Because I’m Muslim’ — Reps Aspirant Accuses NDC Of Religious Discrimination

A House of Representatives aspirant of the New Democratic Congress, NDC, in Nasarawa State, Zahradeen Ahmad Zangina, has accused the party leadership of removing his name from the list of candidates after he won the primary election, alleging that the action was motivated by religious discrimination.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Zangina said he emerged victorious in the NDC primary for the Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency, but was later informed that his name had been removed from the party’s final list of candidates.

He called on the NDC leadership, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, civil society organisations, religious leaders, and the international community to intervene, saying the alleged action undermines internal democracy and violates the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

*’I Won The Primary, But My Name Was Removed’*

“I wish to bring to the attention of Nigerians, members of the New Democratic Congress, civil society organizations, the media, and the international community what I consider a grave injustice and an alleged act of religious discrimination against my candidacy in the Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State,” the statement read.

According to Zangina, he was officially notified by the Nasarawa State Chairman of the NDC, Dogo Shama, that he had won the party’s primary election for the House of Representatives seat.

“Following the conduct of our party’s primary election, I was officially informed by the Chairman of the NDC in Nasarawa State, Dogo Shama, that I had emerged as the winner of the primary election for the House of Representatives ticket in my constituency,” he said.

“However, a few days later, I was shocked to learn that my name had allegedly been removed from the list of candidates.”

*Alleged Conversation With Party Vice Chairman*

Zangina further alleged that the North Central Vice Chairman of the party, Barnabas Ijisi Dankunama, told him the leadership did not want a Muslim candidate for the constituency.

“According to my account, the decision was communicated to me by the North Central Vice Chairman of the party, Barnabas Ijisi Dankunama. I further allege that during our discussions, he indicated that the party leadership did not want a Muslim candidate for the constituency because it intended to field only Christian candidates for House of Representatives seats in Nasarawa State,” he alleged.

The aspirant said he has a video recording of one of his conversations with Dankunama in Hausa, which he believes corroborates his claim.

“During my conversations with Mr. Barnabas Ijisi Dankunama, I was informed that my name would be removed despite my victory in the primary election. I have a video recording of one of our discussions, conducted in Hausa, which I believe supports my account of these events,” he stated.

Zangina said he reported the matter to the National Chairman of the NDC, Cleopas Moses, who allegedly told him he could not reverse the decision and advised him to speak with the party leader.

He added that he also met with the party leader, Saraki Dickson, who listened to his complaint and advised him to seek legal redress.

The aspirant further said he approached the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to explain the situation and seek intervention, but the issue remains unresolved.

“I strongly reject any form of discrimination based on religion. Nigeria is a democratic nation whose Constitution guarantees equal rights and opportunities for every citizen regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background. Political parties should promote fairness, inclusion, and equal participation rather than religious exclusion,” he said.

Zangina warned that allowing the alleged action to stand would damage public confidence in the electoral process.

“I believe that if these actions are allowed to stand, they will undermine internal democracy and public confidence in the electoral process. Every aspirant deserves to be judged on merit and the outcome of a transparent primary election, not on religious identity,” he said.

He called on the NDC leadership to review the matter and restore what he described as the mandate freely given to him during the primary election.

“I therefore call on the leadership of the New Democratic Congress to immediately review this matter and ensure that justice is done. I also appeal to INEC, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and all Nigerians who believe in justice and equal opportunity to closely monitor this issue and encourage a fair resolution,” he added.

Zangina also claimed to be in possession of what he described as the authentic list of candidates from the party’s primary election, which allegedly contained his name before what he termed a subsequent manipulation.