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.