Group alleges moves to subvert APC governorship primaries in Nasarawa

Michael Olumide

A civil society group, the Nasarawa United Forum (NUF), has raised alarm over an alleged plot to manipulate the forthcoming governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Coordinator, Abdulaziz Abba, the group claimed that certain individuals loyal to an unnamed aspirant were working behind the scenes to predetermine the outcome of the primaries scheduled for May 21, 2025, in line with the party’s revised timetable.

According to the forum, the alleged scheme involves writing the results of the election ahead of the actual voting process, a move it described as a direct assault on democratic principles.

“We have uncovered sinister plans by some disgruntled elements to subvert the wishes of the Nasarawa people by pre-writing results of the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries,” the statement read.

NUF further alleged that party executives at both the state and local government levels had been briefed on the plan, with instructions to announce the results early on the day of the exercise.

“In fact, we heard that the state executives down to local government executives across the state have all been briefed about the plan to publish the results of the kangaroo primaries before 10 am on the day,” the statement added.

The group also cited alleged remarks attributed to those behind the plan, suggesting a lack of confidence in a transparent electoral process.

“We heard that they’ve said that ‘if they win on that day, they win; if they win, they win,’ which confirms the fact that they are scared of a free and fair democratic process,” Abba said.

Describing the development as troubling, the forum warned that any attempt to impose a candidate would undermine internal party democracy and disenfranchise party members.

“This is appalling at a time of national calls for free, fair, and credible primaries. Democracy must reflect the will of the people, not the decision of a cabal,” the statement noted.

NUF cautioned that such actions could destabilise the political atmosphere in Nasarawa State, widely regarded as one of the more peaceful states in the North Central region.

“We will not allow self-serving politicians to plunge the state into crisis. The larger majority will suffer,” the group warned.
Reiterating its concerns, the forum stressed that the alleged plan was aimed at subverting the aspirations of the people by imposing a predetermined outcome.

“From available information, the plan is to write the results of the gubernatorial primaries ahead of the poll itself, all with a view to subvert the wishes and aspirations of the good people of Nasarawa State,” it stated.

The group, therefore, urged members of the APC in the state to actively participate in the direct primaries and resist any attempt to manipulate the process.

“Every aspirant deserves to test their popularity fairly. Votes must count, not be pre-determined,” the statement added.

NUF also called on the leadership of the APC and relevant security agencies to investigate the allegations and ensure that the primaries are conducted in a transparent, credible, and peaceful manner.

As of the time of filing this report, the APC in Nasarawa State had yet to respond to the allegations.