Allegations of manipulation, irregularities, and internal divisions have sparked intense controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) recent primaries in Taraba State, potentially escalating tensions within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
As disgruntled candidates and party stakeholders continued to doubt the process’ legitimacy, what was supposed to be a democratic process to choose candidates for elective positions descended into confusion and accusations of fraud.
A number of candidates claimed that the primaries lacked transparency and were marked by procedural irregularities, such as claims of predetermined results, disputed voting procedures, and delayed delivery of electoral materials.
David Sabo Kente, a candidate for governor, made one of the most vehement criticisms, claiming that there were no real House of Representatives primaries held in various parts of the state.
He claimed that in some places, electoral materials arrived later than expected, and that results had already surfaced before voting procedures could officially start.
Election materials were allegedly distributed overnight, according to Kente, while social media videos purportedly showed completed voting exercises, casting doubt on the exercise’s integrity.
Party members’ suspicions that the primary results may have been predetermined long before delegates and party members cast their votes have been heightened by the allegations.
The Taraba APC leadership, however, has rejected the allegations, maintaining that the state’s primaries were successfully held. Aaron Artimas, a party spokesperson, insisted that due process was followed and called the accusations “false and misleading.”
Critics within the party contended that transparency issues were not sufficiently addressed in spite of the official response. Instead of directly addressing procedural complaints, some stakeholders accused party officials of using political intimidation and labelling resentful candidates as “bad losers.”
Concerns about potential legal action have also increased as a result of the primary controversy, particularly in light of purported attempts to force candidates through consensus agreements.
Consensus candidature in Nigeria requires the voluntary written consent of all eligible candidates, according to the country’s electoral regulations. Reports from within the party, however, indicated that some candidates felt under pressure to resign, while others accused party leaders of favouring certain candidates by selectively enforcing the rules.
Deeper contradictions within the party have been revealed, according to political observers, especially between the APC’s stated commitment to “internal democracy” and claims of backdoor political negotiations.
Following the political realignment involving Governor Agbu Kefas, who is thought to have changed the balance of power within the state chapter by joining the APC, tensions within the party reportedly increased even more.
Longtime APC members have reportedly become resentful of the development because they believe that newly aligned political interests are increasingly controlling the party structure.
Additionally, grassroots members have voiced their displeasure with what they see as the increasing sway of elite negotiations over party participation.
Despite the APC’s adoption of direct primaries in an effort to reduce internal strife and increase participation, the procedure instead caused more controversy due to complaints about membership verification, logistical difficulties, and monitoring protocols.
The controversy, according to political analysts, is a reflection of larger worries about how party primaries are conducted in Nigeria, where claims of elite meddling, manipulation, and disputed results have become recurrent problems for all of the country’s major political parties.
With reports of discontent and potential defections continuing to surface after the contentious primaries, the APC in Taraba is now facing increasing worries about party cohesion.
As opposition parties try to take advantage of internal divisions, observers caution that unresolved grievances could weaken the party ahead of future elections.
Many party supporters are also worried that the public’s mistrust of the democratic process could grow as a result of ongoing disputes surrounding party primaries.
Political observers are keeping a close eye on events as the state’s senatorial primaries continue on Monday to see if the next round of the APC’s internal elections will see any similar disputes.
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