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 emerged victorious in the party's primary election, alleging he was sidelined because of his religion.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Zangina alleged that he won the NDC primary election for the Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency but was later informed that his name had been removed from the party’s list of candidates in what he described as an act of religious discrimination.

He called on the leadership of the party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations, religious leaders and the international community to intervene, insisting that the alleged action undermines internal democracy and violates the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens.

“I wish to bring to the attention of Nigerians, members of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), 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 initially notified by the Nasarawa State Chairman of the NDC, Dogo Shama, that he had emerged as the winner of the party’s primary election for the House of Representatives seat.

However, he said he was later shocked to discover that his name had allegedly been removed from the final list of candidates.

“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.”

Zangina alleged that the North Central Vice Chairman of the party, Barnabas Ijisi Dankunama, informed him that the party leadership did not want a Muslim candidate representing the constituency because it intended to field only Christian candidates for House of Representatives positions in Nasarawa State.

“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,” the statement added.

The aspirant rejected what he described as religious discrimination, arguing that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees equal rights and opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion or ethnicity.

“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 further claimed that he possesses a video recording of one of his discussions with Dankunama, conducted in Hausa, which he believes supports his allegations.

“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.

According to him, he subsequently sought intervention from the National Chairman of the NDC, Cleopas Moses, who allegedly told him he could not reverse the decision and advised him to discuss the matter with the party leader.

He also said he met with the party leader, Saraki Dickson, who, after listening to his complaint, advised him to seek legal redress.

Zangina added that he later approached the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to explain the situation and seek intervention, but said the matter remains unresolved.

He warned that allowing the alleged action to stand would erode confidence in the country’s 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.

The aspirant 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 the Independent National Electoral Commission (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.

He 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.