APC Primary Elections Spark Rigging Allegations Across Benue and Lagos

The All Progressives Congress faces mounting internal turmoil following National Assembly primary elections in Benue and Lagos States, with multiple aspirants filing fraud petitions and accusing state governors of rigging the outcomes. In Benue State, former Governor Gabriel Suswam won the Benue North East senatorial seat with 131,083 votes, but defeated rival Senator Emmanuel Udende alleged manipulation. Suswam defended the result as a reflection of constituent support. The Benue dispute deepened over conflicting claims about automatic tickets for serving officials. Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume stated President Bola Tinubu directed that automatic tickets be granted, while Governor Hyacinth Alia insisted the party chairman and president explicitly forbade them. More than 10 aspirants petitioned the party's appeal panel, alleging election materials were hijacked by a state working committee loyal to Alia. Several candidates aligned with Akume lost their bids.

In Lagos State, six APC aspirants petitioned President Tinubu and party leadership over House of Representatives primaries, citing result manipulation, procedural breaches, and member disenfranchisement. The petitioners accused Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, and lawmaker James Faleke of influencing the exercise to favor preferred candidates. The governor's chief press secretary, Gbenga Akosile, dismissed the allegations and defended the process as fair. The Lagos primaries produced a notable upset in Surulere Constituency 1, where Barakat Odunuga-Bakare defeated incumbent Desmond Elliot by 11,385 to 270 votes. Elliot subsequently alleged intimidation and irregularities. Other victors included Mudashiru Obasa, James Faleke, and Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun.