A support group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the party's upcoming governorship primaries. The group, known as the Nasarawa APC Integrity Forum, alleges that state party officials are compromised and intimidated, casting doubt on their ability to conduct free and fair primaries.
Allegations of Intimidation and Compromise
In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, the forum's Coordinator, Zamani Daniel, and Secretary, Ibrahim Tukur, claimed that Governor Abdullahi Sule has placed immense pressure on party officials at all levels to support his preferred candidate, Senator Ahmed Wadada. The group warned that ward-level officials might be used to validate predetermined results.
Calls for External Officials
The forum urged the national leadership of the APC to deploy external officials to oversee the primaries, arguing that state-level officials lack the moral authority and neutrality required for a credible exercise. They expressed alarm that the primary election is already being compromised before it takes place.
Concerns Over Democratic Process
The group emphasized that democracy is about numbers and fair competition. They called on President Bola Tinubu and the national chairman to intervene, asserting that the president is a true democrat who believes in upholding the will of the majority. The forum insisted that aspirants should engage voters directly rather than attempt to predetermine outcomes.
The controversy comes as Governor Sule has publicly endorsed Senator Wadada, leading to fears among other contenders of a rigged process. The APC has yet to respond to the allegations.
