APC Primaries Rocked by Violence, Fraud Claims Across Nigerian States

The All Progressives Congress conducted primary elections across multiple Nigerian states, with contests in Plateau, Ondo, Kaduna, and Lagos overshadowed by violence, result reversals, and fraud allegations, while Ogun State's process concluded peacefully through consensus.

In Plateau State, the APC reversed the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam House of Representatives primary result, declaring incumbent Yusuf Gagdi the winner after dismissing an earlier announcement naming John Tongshinen. Committee chairman Stella Okotete ruled the initial declaration unauthorized, stating only appointed returning officer Nandom Kura had constitutional authority to announce results. Days later, eight to seventeen aspirants, led by Senator Diket Plang, petitioned the APC Appeal Committee alleging widespread irregularities including vote allocation replacing direct primaries and the absence of accreditation and result sheets.

In Ondo State, hoodlums invaded the APC secretariat in Akure, disrupting results announcements with machetes and gunfire. Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire's vehicle was targeted during the Ondo Central senatorial primary. Aspirant Alex Ajipe demanded a rerun of the Ondo North senatorial primary, claiming officials collected results on plain paper and disappeared before formal collation. Attorney General Olukayode Ajulo dismissed interference allegations against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as baseless.

In Kaduna State, former Senator Shehu Sani won the Kaduna South ward primary, but a coalition of aspirants issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding cancellation, accusing Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe of imposing Sani as a consensus candidate. In Lagos, the Agbelebu Solidarity Forum rejected Agege Constituency I results as forged, while Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat emerged unopposed as the governorship candidate. By contrast, Ogun State's primary concluded smoothly, with Senator Solomon Adeola endorsed as consensus governorship candidate after other aspirants withdrew.