Auwalu Lawan Daura challenged Yusuf Buhari in the APC primary race for Daura/Sandamu/Mai'adua Federal Constituency in Katsina State.
He was the sole aspirant who refused to accept Buhari's son as the consensus candidate.
Speaking to our correspondent on Saturday, Daura voiced serious concerns about how the direct primaries were run.
He accused organisers of deviating from the party's guidelines during the exercise.
"The manner of counting was highly dubious," Daura said. "Most of the people counted did not even have party membership cards."
According to him, voters without valid APC membership participated in the primary.
Daura denied that his decision to contest showed disrespect to anyone. He tied his action to a commitment to democratic principles.
"When I started this political movement, I made it clear that it was about the will of the people," he noted.
He explained that when party officials announced a consensus arrangement, the grassroots rejected it. Community members demanded a proper contest instead.
"My insistence was not a sign of disrespect, but rather a demonstration of our support for justice and fairness," Daura told reporters.
He remained adamant that pushing for transparent primaries reflected his commitment to the people's wishes.
At the time of filing this report, results from the Daura/Sandamu/Mai'adua Federal Constituency primary had not yet been announced.
The controversy highlights growing tension within the APC over how candidates emerge in certain constituencies.
