Plateau APC members petition Tinubu over alleged move to subvert Assembly primary

By Muhammad Tanko Shittu — Concerned members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Jos North–North State Constituency of Plateau State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what they described as an attempt to overturn the outcome of the party’s primary election for the State House of Assembly seat.

In an open letter jointly signed by Usman Danasabe and Josiah Mark on behalf of Concerned APC Constituents of Jos North–North, the group urged the President to protect internal party democracy by ensuring that the candidate who emerged victorious in the primary election is recognised.

According to the petitioners, the officially declared results of the primary election showed Hon. Dr. Adamu Aliyu polling 13,066 votes to defeat his closest rival, Harry Ishaya, who secured 1,904 votes. Shehu Bala and Hassan Abdulkadir scored 239 and 182 votes, respectively.

The group, however, expressed concern over reports alleging that the APC National Working Committee, NWC, facilitated the issuance of an Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, nomination form to the candidate who placed 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 stated.

The petitioners said President Tinubu, as the leader of the APC, had a responsibility to uphold justice, fairness and democratic principles within the party.

They urged the President to ensure that “no individual or group overrides the clear mandate freely given by party delegates through a transparent primary election.”

The group argued that the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the APC Constitution all emphasise due process, transparency and adherence to lawful procedures in the conduct of party primaries.

“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 petition added.

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

The APC had yet to respond to the allegations contained in the petition as of the time of filing this report.