By Our Reporter

A prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholder in Lafia, Malam Idi Mamman, has rejected allegations of constitutional violations leveled against Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, describing the petition submitted to the party’s national leadership as “misleading, speculative, and legally unsound.”
Speaking in Lafia, Mamman said the claims accusing Senator Wadada of dual-party membership lack merit and fail to stand up to constitutional scrutiny. According to him, the senator had effectively resigned from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), noting that under Nigerian law, political party membership is determined by intention and conduct rather than administrative acknowledgment.
“The refusal or delay by a former party to formally acknowledge resignation does not invalidate a defection that has already been declared and demonstrated in practice,” Mamman said.
He emphasized that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees freedom of association, including the right of individuals to join or leave political parties at will. He argued that the petitioners failed to provide evidence showing that Wadada is simultaneously active in both parties, which he described as the only valid test of dual membership.
Mamman also faulted the petition’s reliance on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, stating that the cited sections deal primarily with party administration and do not criminalize political defections or impose liability based on delays in updating party records.
On the issue of Senate procedure, the APC chieftain dismissed claims that failure to formally notify the Senate invalidates defection, describing such notification as a procedural formality rather than a constitutional requirement.
He further argued that Senator Wadada’s continued role as Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee does not prove ongoing membership in the SDP, noting that committee assignments are administrative decisions often subject to delays following political realignments.
Mamman also described the petition’s invocation of constitutional provisions relating to party registration as irrelevant, insisting they do not govern individual political movement between parties.
Addressing concerns over political endorsements, he maintained that support expressed by Governor Abdullahi Sule for Wadada remains within the bounds of political activity and does not constitute any legal violation.
He added that the petition relies heavily on media speculation and anticipated litigation rather than any established judicial ruling.
“In law, allegations remain mere claims until proven. There is no court judgment establishing any wrongdoing against Senator Wadada,” Mamman said.
He concluded that there is no legal basis for sanctions against the senator, insisting that Wadada retains the constitutional right to participate fully in APC activities and contest in the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries.
Mamman described the petition as a politically motivated attempt to sideline a legitimate aspirant through “administrative technicalities and unfounded claims.”