By Isaac Aregbesola
The Fatherland Front for Growth and Development, an NGO, has urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to urgently intervene in the fallout of the just concluded party’s primary elections.
Dr AK Peters, the National Secretary of the socio-economic and political advocacy group, made the call at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.
Peters, who specifically called on the National Chairman Prof. Yelwatda and President Bola Tinubu to step into the case, said the intervention was needed to ensure that justice, fairness, and democratic principles prevail.
According to him, political parties stand a far better chance of success in general elections when they present their strongest, most credible, and democratically elected candidates to the electorate.
He stressed that Nigeria’s democracy could only thrive where the will of party members and the people is respected, internal democracy is protected, and fairness remains the guiding principle.
Peters said although the primaries conducted by political parties across Nigeria had concluded, the controversies surrounding them continued to raise serious concern among citizens and stakeholders.
The scribe commended the general compliance with the amended Electoral Act, particularly the provisions recognising consensus and direct primaries.
While pointing out that the conduct of the APC primaries was satisfactory in several areas, he noted that certain outcomes fell short of democratic expectations and public confidence.
According to him, it is regrettable that in some instances, influential political actors and entrenched godfathers allegedly imposed preferred candidates despite clear indications that such candidates had been rejected by party members.
“It is important to state that although the conduct of the primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was satisfactory in several areas, certain outcomes fell short of democratic expectations and public confidence
“We therefore call on the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Yelwatda, as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leader and presidential flag bearer of the party, to urgently intervene and ensure that justice, fairness, and democratic principles prevail”
He cited the case of Oyo North Senatorial District, where Dr Gbenga Adegbola reportedly secured a convincing victory, winning in nine out of 13 local government areas with substantial margins, but was allegedly denied recognition as the winner, while a less popular aspirant was favoured instead.
Peters also highlighted the situation in Kwara South Senatorial District, where Dr Muheebah Dankaka was reportedly declared winner of the primary but later denied the party ticket.
He said the denial was widely perceived as unjust and discriminatory, allegedly because Dankaka is a woman.
He expressed concern that at a time when women occupied only five out of 109 seats in the Nigerian Senate, competent and qualified women continued to face barriers in governance and legislative leadership.
“At a time when women occupy only five out of the 109 seats in the Nigerian Senate, it is profoundly concerning that competent and qualified women continue to face barriers in participating fully in governance and legislative leadership.
“Nigeria cannot afford to sideline capable women whose contributions are essential to achieving balance, inclusion, and progressive national development.”
He said the Fatherland Front, as a registered Non-Governmental Organisation committed to justice, fairness, and democratic growth, strongly condemned the apparent miscarriages of justice.
He also urged the APC National Working Committee to investigate the reported irregularities and uphold results that reflect the actual votes of party members, while calling on members to remain calm and pursue justice through lawful channels.
“The APC cannot afford to alienate loyal members and grassroots mobilizers at a time when unity is critical ahead of the general elections. Justice and equity must be seen to be done,” he said.
In his remarks, the National Vice Chairman, MS Abubakar, stated that the organisation was not a political group, but a group of concerned citizens who are interested in the way the country is governed.
He said members cut across various political parties, seeking fairness in the collation and declaration of primary election results.
He noted that demands were not limited to one party, or a particular scenario, but cuts across various parties and situations surrounding the conduct of primary elections.
NAN
