Constitutional Showdown: Umar Sani Challenges Wike Over Zonal Congress Election Powers

Former Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, Umar Sani, has challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to cite specific sections of the constitution that grant a zonal congress the authority to conduct elections independently, without oversight.

Sani made this statement in reaction to the South-South Zonal Congress held in Calabar, where Wike and his allies, including former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, participated and voted.

Speaking on Arise News, Sani criticized Wike’s stance, stating that he was “merely being clever by half.” He emphasized that, in the party’s structure, only the national headquarters has the authority to issue directives on election procedures.

“I have not seen any provision in our constitution that permits a zonal caucus or congress to conduct elections independently, without guidelines or directives from the National Working Committee (NWC). Wike is merely being clever by half,” Sani asserted.

He further challenged Wike to provide constitutional backing for his claim, stating, “If he can quote the relevant sections that grant the zonal congress such authority without supervision, then I will be convinced he is correct.”

Sani reiterated that while zonal congresses take place across the six geopolitical zones, they must be conducted under the authority of the NWC.