APC Reps Primaries Record Peaceful Voting Amid Consensus Arrangements, Alleged Irregularities

By DAMILOLA ORIGBEMISUYI (Akure), ABU NMODU (Minna), ANAYO ONUKWUGHA (Port Harcourt), ACHOR ABIMAJE (Jos), JAMES KWEN (Abuja), JOSHUA DADA (Osogbo), IBRAHIM OBANSA (Lokoja), AZA MSUE (Kaduna), ALO ABIOLA (Ado-Ekiti), BABAJI USMAN BABAJI (Gombe), FRANCIS OKOYE (Maiduguri), FELIX IGBEKOYI (Asaba) and AHMED TAHIR (Lafia)

The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary elections held across the country on Saturday recorded largely peaceful voting in many states, even as consensus arrangements, complaints of irregularities and last-minute withdrawals shaped the exercise in several constituencies.

Across many states, party members turned out in large numbers for the direct primaries, while in others, candidates emerged through consensus arrangements brokered by party leaders and stakeholders ahead of the exercise.

In Ondo State, the primaries ended amid allegations of irregularities, sudden disqualifications and claims that voting did not hold in some constituencies.

The controversy heightened following the release of a list of disqualified aspirants on the day of the primaries.

Those affected include Adefisoye Tajudeen (Idanre/Ifedore), Olusegun Ategbole and Seun Ajongbolo (Akoko Southeast/Southwest), Arowole Ayodeji (Owo/Ose), and Murufu Tosin Ibrahim, Oseni Oyeniyi and Olaleye Adedipe from Akoko NorthEast/Northwest Federal Constituency.

One of the affected aspirants, Murufu Ibrahim, popularly known as Hon. Murphy, questioned the timing of the screening report released on the day of the exercise, alleging that the late disclosure denied aspirants the opportunity for redress.

Similarly, an aspirant in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency, Wale Ayadi, rejected claims that valid primaries were conducted, insisting that no electoral materials or officials were deployed to the 23 wards in the constituency.

Reacting, APC Director of Media and Publicity in Ondo State, Steve Otaloro, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the exercise was largely peaceful, adding that any grey areas would be addressed during collation.

He maintained that the conduct of the primaries was handled by officials deployed from the party’s national headquarters.

In Niger State, intense consultations led by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago resulted in five incumbent lawmakers emerging as consensus candidates, while direct primaries were conducted in four federal constituencies where agreements failed.

Among those who emerged through consensus were Hon. Saidu Musa Abdul for Katcha/Bida/Gbako, Hon. Abdullahi Maisolar for Kontagora/Mariga/Wushishi/Mashegu, Hon. Jafaru Agwara for Agwara/Borgu and Hon. Moddibo for Rafi/Shiroro/Munya.

Former Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Adamu Usman, was also adopted as consensus candidate for Edati/Mokwa/Lavun Federal Constituency.

The governor reportedly appealed to stakeholders to allow incumbent lawmakers secure another term, assuring aspirants who stepped down that they would not regret their decision.

In Rivers State, the APC recorded peaceful primaries across the 10 federal constituencies, with party leaders and stakeholders commending the orderly conduct of the exercise.

Prominent among the aspirants was Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, who is seeking to represent Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.

An APC chieftain and director-general of the National Oil Spillages Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Chief Emeka Woke, lauded the peaceful conduct of the exercise and praised party members for maintaining order throughout the process.

In Plateau State, uncertainty and intrigues surrounded the primaries in several wards as members waited anxiously for election materials and commencement of voting.

At Vandapuye Ward in Jos North, party members complained that election materials had not arrived as of noon, while some wards in Jos South reportedly showed no signs of electoral activities.

The exercise was further complicated by disagreements between political groups loyal to Governor Caleb Mutfwang and former governor Jonah Jang over preferred candidates.

Meanwhile, the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, announced that he had been endorsed as consensus candidate for another term.

However, the campaign organisation of rival aspirant Dr. John Tongshinen Gozhak dismissed the claim as fabricated and misleading.

Several aspirants in Plateau State also reportedly withdrew from the race following consultations aimed at reducing tensions and promoting party unity ahead of the exercise.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, meanwhile clarified that party members were not required to present evidence of dues payment before participating in the primaries.

Morka explained that proof of dues payment only applied during nomination and screening processes for aspirants and their nominators, urging party members to disregard contrary directives.

In Osun State, House of Representatives primaries held across the nine federal constituencies, with direct primaries conducted in some areas while consensus arrangements produced candidates in others.

Large turnout of party members was recorded in several wards as voting commenced early in many locations.

In Kogi State, the primaries commenced peacefully across many constituencies, although complaints of irregularities and alleged imposition of candidates surfaced in some areas.

Deputy Governor Joel Oyibo Salifu, who voted in Ofu Local Government Area, described the process as transparent and credible.

In Ajaokuta and Lokoja/Kogi federal constituencies, sole aspirants Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem and Hon. Danladi Aguye emerged unopposed.

However, in Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency, some party members alleged that no actual voting took place, accusing party officials of merely assembling crowds without conducting proper elections.

In Kaduna and Benue states, pressure mounted on aspirants to step down for consensus candidates adopted by party stakeholders.

In Kaduna State, serving lawmakers including Sadiq Abdullahi Ango, Daniel Amos, Gabriel Saleh Zock and Fidelix Joseph Bagudu were reportedly adopted as consensus candidates in their respective constituencies.

Governor Uba Sani had earlier constituted a high-level committee on party harmonisation and aspirants’ engagement aimed at promoting consensus-building and internal democracy within the APC.

In Benue State, the wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Regina Akume, was reportedly adopted as consensus candidate for Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, while Solomon Wombo emerged as consensus candidate in Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency.

In Oyo State, Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primaries Committee, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, described the exercise across the 14 federal constituencies as peaceful, transparent and credible.

Alabi said 74 House of Representatives aspirants participated in the primaries across the state and commended party members for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the exercise.

In Ekiti State, incumbent lawmakers and new entrants were said to be in early lead as voting took place across the six federal constituencies.

Security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the exercise across the state, although isolated skirmishes were reported in some areas including Ilawe, Ikere and Ado-Ekiti.

In Gombe State, Governor Inuwa Yahaya praised the conduct of the APC direct primaries, describing the process as peaceful and transparent.

However, some party members rejected the exercise, alleging manipulation and lack of transparency in the process.

The controversy followed earlier disagreements over the party’s attempt to adopt consensus arrangements before eventually reverting to direct primaries after protests by aspirants.

In Borno State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum commended the peaceful conduct of the primaries and defended the consensus option adopted in some constituencies.

Zulum explained that the consensus arrangement was voluntary and did not prevent any aspirant from contesting through direct primaries if dissatisfied with the process.

In Delta State, candidates emerged across several federal constituencies as party leaders and stakeholders praised the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme both commended the process, with Onyeme describing the Option A4 voting method as the most transparent electoral process for the country.

Among those declared winners were Hon. Ndudi Elumelu in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko in Isoko Federal Constituency, Hon. Ejiro Waive in Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency, and Hon. Julius Pondi in Burutu Federal Constituency.

Meanwhile, in Nasarawa State, a political support group under the platform of the Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement endorsed former NASENI vice chairman, Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, for the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

The group described Haruna as the party’s best option for industrial and technological transformation in the state, citing his role in attracting federal projects, industrial investments and employment opportunities to Nasarawa State.