For an alleged defamatory publication declaring him “not cleared”, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Plateau North senatorial aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Gyang Zi, has withdrawn from the party’s ongoing primary election, demanding N10 billion in damages.
In a letter addressed to the APC National Chairman and dated May 18, 2026, Zi alleged that the party published his name on social media and on its official X handle among aspirants not cleared for the primary election, without giving any reason.
Zi said the publication was made despite his paying for nomination and expression of interest forms and his participation in the screening process for the Plateau North senatorial district primary.
He explained that the publication portraying him as ‘not cleared’ without justification had greatly injured his reputation, subjected him to public ridicule, and destabilised his supporters and political structure across Plateau North senatorial district and beyond.
According to the letter, “The publication had caused embarrassment to my legal career, political ambition and public standing.”
Pending what he described as an immediate retraction, public apology and compensation from the party, he subsequently announced his withdrawal from the primary election.
Zi demanded N10 billion as damages for alleged defamation, reputational injury and emotional distress, saying that failure to comply with the demand within a reasonable time would leave him with no option but to seek legal redress against the party and all persons connected with the publication.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had yet to respond to the allegation.
