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APC House of Reps Primaries Marred by Tension, Violence, Consensus Disputes
Tension erupted during APC Reps primaries as aspirants protested disqualifications, vote-buying claims and alleged manipulation, while Wike loyalists dominated Rivers politics.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries across Nigeria descended into controversy on Saturday, with protests, violence, disqualifications and allegations of imposed candidates dominating the exercise in several states.
Although some aspirants emerged through consensus arrangements, others battled through fierce contests, while disagreements disrupted voting in key constituencies including Abuja South, Lagos Mainland, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Cross River.
In contrast, states such as Bayelsa, Borno, Imo and Anambra recorded relatively calm exercises.
The primaries also intensified the political rivalry in Rivers State, where loyalists of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike reportedly secured dominance over supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara after several of the governor’s allies were screened out.
APC Bars 14 Aspirants From Primaries
The ruling party officially confirmed the disqualification of 14 aspirants from the primaries, citing failure to satisfy screening requirements.
In a statement shared on the APC’s official X account, National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the screening exercise followed “established procedures and guidelines.”
Ondo State recorded the highest number of disqualifications with seven aspirants affected, while Rivers State had four disqualified aspirants believed to be aligned with Governor Fubara.
Among those affected were retired Air Commodore John Azubuike Opara, Boma Goodhead, Anderson Allison Igbiki and Awaji Imombek Abirite.
Consensus Crisis Stalls Abuja South Exercise
The APC primary in Abuja South Federal Constituency collapsed after party leaders failed to agree on a consensus candidate.
Party members gathered at voting centres in Gwagwalada and Kwali reportedly waited for hours without electoral officials arriving.
Frontline aspirant Abubakar Jibrin Giri rejected attempts to impose a consensus arrangement.
“Consensus will not work in the FCT. Members will resist any attempt to impose candidates,” he stated.
Former National Population Commission Commissioner, Joseph Shazin, warned that forcing consensus candidates could divide the party and trigger defections.
Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo Witness Protests and Violence
In Oyo State, APC members protested at the party secretariat in Ibadan over alleged imposition of candidates and manipulation of the process.
Protesters accused party leaders of denying loyal members fair participation.
“This is a hijack of the democratic process,” said protest leader Adebayo Akinola.
Ekiti State recorded violence after suspected hoodlums allegedly attacked a voting venue in Ado-Ekiti, forcing officials to suspend the exercise.
In Ondo State, confusion erupted after seven aspirants reportedly linked to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa were disqualified hours before the exercise began, leading to parallel primaries in some constituencies.
Lagos Primaries Produce Winners Amid Allegations
In Lagos, the primaries featured consensus victories, last-minute withdrawals and accusations of vote-buying.
Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa emerged unopposed in Agege, while Fuad Laguda and Benjamin Olabinjo also secured tickets without opposition.
However, some party members protested alleged irregularities in Lagos Mainland and Oshodi-Isolo constituencies, accusing officials of bias and voter intimidation.
Supporters of aspirant Kehinde Bamigbetan claimed no legitimate primary was conducted in Oshodi-Isolo.
Meanwhile, Abdul-Hammed Salawu, popularly known as Dullar, withdrew from the Somolu race shortly before voting commenced, citing party unity.
Rivers APC Primaries Favour Wike Camp
In Rivers State, the APC primaries strengthened the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, as his allies dominated the ticket allocation process.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, won the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency ticket, while several other Wike loyalists emerged across constituencies.
The party cleared 19 aspirants linked to Wike while disqualifying four others believed to be sympathetic to Governor Fubara.
Some aggrieved aspirants described the process as a witch-hunt and accused party leaders of targeting the governor’s supporters.
Youth leader Legborsi Yamaabana subsequently announced his resignation from the APC, alleging bias in the screening exercise.
Peaceful Exercises in Bayelsa, Edo, Niger
Despite tensions elsewhere, Bayelsa and Edo states recorded orderly exercises.
In Bayelsa, APC members praised the peaceful conduct of the primaries, while Governor Douye Diri commended party unity.
In Edo, candidates backed by the party leadership emerged victorious across several constituencies.
Niger State also recorded consensus victories, with Abdullahi Idris Garba emerging as the APC candidate for Kontagora/Wushishi/Mariga/Mashegu Federal Constituency.
Across the country, the APC primaries highlighted deepening internal rivalries, consensus disputes and power struggles that could shape the party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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