APC primary: Group urges Tinubu to safeguard party’s democracy

Concerned members of the All Progressives Congress from the Jos North–North State Constituency in Plateau State have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the outcome of the party’s primary election for the State House of Assembly seat, urging him to intervene to protect internal democracy.

In an open letter jointly signed by Usman Danasabe and Josiah Mark on behalf of the Concerned APC Constituents of Jos North–North, a copy of which was sent to Arewa PidomNigeria in Jos on Thursday, the group called on the President to ensure that the lawful winner of the primary is recognised.

“Our appeal is not driven by personal interest but by our commitment to justice, fairness and the preservation of democracy within our great party. Respecting the outcome of a transparent primary election is essential to maintaining the confidence of party members and the Nigerian people,” the letter stated.

According to the petitioners, the officially declared results of the primary showed that Hon. Dr. Adamu Aliyu polled 13,066 votes to defeat Harry Ishaya, who scored 1,904 votes. In comparison, Shehu Bala and Hassan Abdulkadir received 239 and 182 votes respectively.

However, the group expressed concern over reports alleging that the APC National Working Committee had facilitated the issuance of an Independent National Electoral Commission nomination form to the candidate who finished fourth in the contest.

“If these reports are true, such an action would amount to a direct assault on the principles of internal democracy and the freely expressed will of accredited delegates,” the letter further read in part.

The constituents stated that party members nationwide look up to President Tinubu as a defender of democratic values and urged him to prevent any attempt to subvert the delegates’ mandate.

“Party members across the country looked to President Tinubu as a symbol of justice, fairness and respect for democratic values; thus, we are urging him to ensure that no individual or group overrides the clear mandate freely given by party delegates through a transparent primary election,” the group stressed.

The petitioners further argued that the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the APC Constitution all provide for due process and transparency in the conduct of party primaries.

They also called on other relevant institutions to act to ensure the matter is resolved lawfully.

“The petition also called on the APC National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, the party’s Plateau State chapter, INEC, security agencies and, where necessary, the judiciary to ensure that the matter is resolved in accordance with the law,” the letter added.

Meanwhile, Arewa PidomNigeria reports that as of the time of filing this report, the APC National Working Committee and the Plateau State chapter of the party had yet to issue an official response to the allegations.