A former Inspector General of Police and APC governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State, Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, has accused the party’s state leadership of attempting to influence the outcome of the upcoming primaries through ward executives.
Speaking through the Chairman of Counter and Mobilisation for his campaign team, Mr. Isah Nathaniel, in Lafia on Monday, Adamu Abubakar alleged that there is a coordinated effort to pressure ward executives across the state’s 147 wards to endorse a preferred aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections.
He described the alleged move as political manipulation rather than legitimate party organisation, claiming it was an attempt to impose a predetermined candidate on party members.
“This is not party coordination but political manipulation in its crudest form. What is being presented as organisation is actually a clear attempt to override the will of party members and impose a chosen outcome,” he said.
The allegation comes shortly after the state APC chairman, Dr. Aliyu Bello, assured that the party would provide a level playing field for all aspirants during the primaries.
However, Adamu Abubakar warned that any attempt to use ward executives for hidden political agendas could destabilise the party and negatively affect its chances in the 2027 elections, especially as stakeholders have agreed to adopt direct primaries for all positions.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and safeguard the integrity of the party in the state.
Abubakar also appealed to the party’s National Working Committee to step in and address what he described as “emerging irregularities” to restore order and fairness.
In addition, he urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to remain vigilant against any attempt to manipulate the process through coercion, warning that such actions could threaten public peace.
Responding to the allegations, the party leadership maintained that it is committed to conducting free and fair primaries. The state chairman, Dr. Bello, clarified that while Governor Abdullahi Sule has the right to support any aspirant, such endorsement does not prevent others from contesting.
