The North-Central APC Forum has declared that more than 50 percent of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) members are unhappy with the conduct of the recently concluded State and National Assembly primary elections. The forum made this known in a statement signed by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga.
Widespread Discontent
According to the forum, the primaries have been marred by disqualifications, conflicting results, irregularities, and violence. Many aspirants who were screened out have disputed their disqualification and threatened legal action unless the decisions are reversed.
The forum stated that the poor conduct of the exercise vindicated its earlier warning that the process had been commercialized by party national officials. It alleged that most disqualified aspirants were those who did not align with the interests of national officers and their chosen coordinators.
Leadership Under Fire
The forum also expressed dissatisfaction with how the national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, is running the party. It claimed that the process worsened daily, with disqualifications based on selfish interests rather than merit.
"From what we have gathered, 50 percent of party members across the country are not happy with the conduct of the APC primary elections. They are not happy with the national chairman," the statement read.
Committee Selection Criticized
The North-Central APC Forum further alleged that the selection of members for primary election committees was not based on competence or experience, but on personal relationships with party officials. It said national officers sent cronies lacking capacity and exposure to supervise the primaries in various states.
"If you are an aspirant and you refuse to dance to their tune, once they notice you are likely to win, they will rush to announce your disqualification. That is why we have confusion concerning the outcome of the primaries in several constituencies and senatorial districts," the statement added.
Call for Action
The forum reiterated its demand that national officers be called to order to prevent a damaging crisis in the party ahead of the general elections.
