From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has dismissed the criticisms surrounding the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Kaduna State, describing the reactions of dissatisfied aspirants as the “lamentation of losers.”
Sani made this remark on Saturday during a courtesy visit with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kaduna State chapter. The meeting, which focused on party politics and internal cohesion, also addressed challenges facing sports development in Nigeria.
He said electoral contests naturally produce winners and losers, emphasizing that those who lost in the primaries should accept the results and avoid actions that could deepen divisions within the party.
According to him, democracy is built on competition and tolerance, and political actors must learn to handle both victory and defeat with maturity.
The former lawmaker stressed that active participation in party structures at the ward, local government, and state levels remains crucial for political influence.
He warned that alienation from party organs can weaken aspirants during internal contests and diminish their influence within the party.
Sani defended the conduct of the APC primaries in Kaduna, describing them as mostly peaceful and credible. He insisted that some dissatisfied participants are exaggerating claims of widespread irregularities and urged members to focus on facts rather than emotions.
He called on party members to prioritize unity ahead of future elections, warning that unresolved internal disputes could weaken the APC’s strength and stability.
“Unity is the only way the party can remain competitive and deliver on its promises to the people,” he said.
The discussion also shifted to sports development. Sani expressed concern over Nigeria’s declining investment in the sector, arguing that the country continues to underperform internationally despite its large pool of sporting talent.
He said this gap is a result of years of neglect and poor funding.
He called for increased investment in grassroots sports, better infrastructure, and stronger institutional support to reposition Nigeria for global competitiveness.
According to him, nurturing talent from the community level is key to improving the country’s performance in international competitions.
Sani reiterated the importance of collaboration among the government, stakeholders, and the media in strengthening sports development and fostering unity.
He said journalists play a critical role in highlighting both challenges and successes in the sector.
Earlier in his remarks, Shehu Abdullahi, Chairman of SWAN, Kaduna State chapter, praised Sani for his ongoing engagement with the sports community and his support for journalists.
He also highlighted the operational and welfare challenges faced by sports journalists in the state, calling for greater support to enable them to perform their duties effectively.
