Nasarawa gov aspirant faults APC primary, party defends process

One of the aspirants in the just-concluded All Progressives Congress governorship primary election in Nasarawa State, Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, has lamented alleged irregularities during the primaries, noting that even as an aspirant, he was denied the right to vote.

Haruna, a former Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, lamented the situation during a press briefing on Sunday in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.

He explained that during the APC governorship primaries in Nasarawa State, among the major issues were the deployment of individuals allegedly known to have partisan interests in favour of the government-anointed aspirant, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, as electoral officials across the state.

While describing the primary election as a sham, the governorship aspirant said there were also widespread reports indicating that electoral materials and officials failed to arrive in several wards and polling locations across the state, thereby preventing many party members from participating in the process.

He said, “For instance, electoral officials and materials never arrived at my electoral ward, therefore denying me an opportunity to vote.

“In many electoral wards, party members remained at the designated polling locations throughout the day and late into the night in anticipation of the arrival of electoral officials and materials that never came.”

According to the former NASENI boss, equally troubling were reports and evidence of intimidation, harassment, and disruption in certain polling areas by individuals whose actions created fear and confusion during the exercise.

He noted that the situation created deep frustration, disappointment, and a strong feeling of disenfranchisement among loyal party members who had turned out and expected a transparent, peaceful, and credible democratic exercise.

Prof. Haruna added, “Let me emphasise that our observations and concerns are supported by reports, documentary materials, videos, photographs, and testimonies gathered from stakeholders and party members across the state.

“Anyone who believes in accountability before God Almighty and has conscience should reject this result. The primary election was a sham and sheer allocation of figures in 80 per cent of the wards in the state. It was a slap on democracy and a desecration of the ballot.

“Members were brazenly denied the opportunity to exercise their constitutional responsibility. Might was on display in utter contempt of party members. It was all a charade.”

He, therefore, urged the National Secretariat of the APC to review the primary election and conduct a fresh one in Nasarawa State, noting that the party has to live up to its reputation as a truly progressive and democratic party.

The governorship aspirant urged all his supporters and well-wishers across the state to remain calm, peaceful, law-abiding, and steadfast to allow the party to correct the issues observed during the primary election, noting that “politics should never become a source of violence, hatred, or division among our people.”

“I wish to make it categorically clear that our political aspiration remains alive and our commitment to the progress and future of Nasarawa State remains unwavering.

“This journey has never been about personal ambition; it has always been about service, development, inclusiveness, and creating better opportunities for the people of our dear state.

“Consequently, we shall not abandon the political vision and aspirations shared with millions of our supporters across Nasarawa State.

“We have commenced broad consultations with our supporters, stakeholders, political associates, elders, youth groups, women groups, community leaders, and well-wishers across the state and beyond.

“These consultations will enable us to carefully assess the current political situation and determine the most appropriate and responsible next line of action in the overall interest of our supporters and the people of Nasarawa State.

“At the conclusion of these consultations, we shall formally communicate our position and future direction to the public,” he added.

Our correspondent further reports that Prof. Haruna expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Nasarawa State, particularly his supporters, political associates, coordinators, youth groups, women groups, community leaders, and party faithful across the state who have stood firmly with him since he joined the governorship contest.

He noted that their encouragement, sacrifices, prayers, and unwavering confidence in the shared vision for Nasarawa State remain deeply appreciated and would never be taken for granted.

When contacted, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Nasarawa State, Augustine Ogaba, insisted that the governorship primary election took place across the 147 electoral wards of the state, thereby dismissing the allegations by Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna.

Ogaba noted that the primary elections conducted in the state were free, fair, and credible, giving members of the party the opportunity to vote for aspirants of their choice.

He further advised Prof. Haruna to approach the Appeal Committee for the governorship primary election and lay his grievances, assuring him that the APC, as a family, would carefully look into the situation with a view to responding to the concerns raised.

He added, “Anybody that feels aggrieved should approach the Primary Elections Appeal Committee to lay their complaints before it.

“But for anybody to come out and say that the governorship primary election did not take place, such a person is economical with the truth.

“His inability to participate in the process doesn’t mean that the primary election didn’t take place. If there was no primary election, how did he get votes from the contest?

“Materials were distributed from the state and then moved to the zones, local governments, and wards. The primary elections took place in a free, fair, and credible manner.

“So, I will advise him to approach the panel and lay down his grievances, but I can assure him that the APC, as a family, is willing to accommodate everybody so that we can work together and ensure victory for our party during the 2027 elections.”