APC Officials Allege Pressure To Discredit Pankshin, Kanke Kanam Primary

Ward Presiding, Local Government and the Constituency Collation/Returning Officers who conducted the All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Representatives primary election for the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam, PKK, Federal Constituency, have alleged that some aggrieved aspirants mounted pressure on them to discredit the outcome of the exercise.

The election officials, under the aegis of the Forum of Ward Presiding Officers, Local Government Collation Officers and Constituency Collation/Returning Officers, made the allegation on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Jos.

In the press conference text, the Chairman of the forum, Chinwatda Tapar, alleged that some aspirants approached election officials, urging them to sign affidavits that contradicted the facts surrounding the 16 May 2026, APC primary election.

According to Tapar, some officials were allegedly offered monetary inducements, while others were subjected to pressure and intimidation to secure their cooperation.

He said the forum rejected the alleged overtures because they were inconsistent with the facts surrounding the primary election.

“Our duty was to conduct a free, fair and credible election, not to become instruments in any post-election effort aimed at distorting the truth,” he said.

Tapar explained that the APC National Secretariat appointed the officials through the committee constituted for the conduct of the 2026 National Assembly primary elections in Plateau State, chaired by Hon. Stella Okotete, to conduct the primary election in the PKK Federal Constituency.

He maintained that the exercise was conducted peacefully, transparently and in full compliance with the party’s constitution and guidelines, after which the winner was duly declared and returned.

The forum disclosed that it had preserved relevant information regarding the alleged contacts and approaches and would make such evidence available to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, the APC, or any court of competent jurisdiction whenever necessary.

It further insisted that any grievances arising from the primary election should be pursued strictly through lawful, transparent and democratic processes.

“Our responsibility as Ward Presiding Officers, Local Government Collation Officers and Constituency Collation/Returning Officer ended with the successful conduct of the primary election and the declaration of its outcome,” Tapar said.

He urged party members and other stakeholders to respect due process, uphold the truth and allow any disputes arising from the primary election to be resolved through the appropriate legal and institutional channels.

The forum also reaffirmed its commitment to truth, fairness, due process and the democratic ideals of the APC, insisting that it would not be drawn into any attempt to undermine the credibility of the primary election.