A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and senatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gyang Zi, has withdrawn from the party’s Plateau North senatorial primary and demanded N10 billion in damages over what he described as a defamatory publication by the party.
In a protest letter dated May 18, 2026, and addressed to the APC National Chairman, Zi alleged that the party published his name on social media and its official X account among aspirants “not cleared” for the primary election without providing any explanation.
According to the aspirant, the publication came despite his payment for nomination and expression of interest forms as well as his participation in the screening exercise for the Plateau North Senatorial District primary.
“The publication portraying me as ‘not cleared’ without justification has greatly injured my reputation, subjected me to public ridicule, and destabilised my supporters and political structure,” Zi stated in the letter.
He further argued that the development caused embarrassment to his legal career, political ambition, and public standing, prompting his decision to withdraw from the race pending what he called an immediate retraction and public apology from the APC.
Zi is also demanding N10 billion as compensation for alleged defamation, reputational damage, and emotional distress. He warned that failure by the party to address his demands within a reasonable time could lead to legal action against the APC and individuals connected to the publication.
The controversy comes amid tensions surrounding APC primaries in Plateau State, where several aspirants were reportedly disqualified ahead of the exercise.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had not officially responded to Zi’s allegations or his demand for damages.
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