APC Members Petition Tinubu Over Plateau Assembly Primary, Seek Recognition of Declared Winner
Seek recognition of declared winner, urge President to protect party democracy
By Israel Adamu, Jos
Concerned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Jos North–North State Constituency in Plateau State have petitioned President Bola Tinubu, urging him to intervene in what they described as an attempt to undermine the outcome of the party’s primary election for the State House of Assembly seat.
The group, under the aegis of Concerned APC Constituents of Jos North–North, appealed to the President to safeguard the party’s internal democratic process and ensure that the candidate declared winner of the primary election is duly recognised.
In an open letter jointly signed by Usman Danasabe and Josiah Mark, the petitioners said the outcome of the primary election reflected the freely expressed will of delegates and should not be overturned.
According to the group, the officially declared results showed that Hon. Dr. Adamu Aliyu polled 13,066 votes to emerge winner of the primary, defeating Harry Ishaya, who scored 1,904 votes, while Shehu Bala and Hassan Abdulkadir secured 239 and 182 votes respectively.
The petitioners, 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 a candidate who finished fourth in the primary election.
“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.
They described President Tinubu as a leader committed to justice, fairness and democratic values, 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 argued that the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the APC Constitution all emphasise due process, transparency and respect for 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 petitioners said.
They also called on the APC National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, the Plateau State chapter of the party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and, where necessary, the judiciary to ensure that the matter is resolved in accordance with the law.
The group maintained that protecting the integrity of the party’s primary election process would strengthen internal democracy, promote confidence among party members and uphold the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic system.
