What began as a routine APC House of Representatives primary in Gombe State has spiralled into a major political controversy, with allegations of manipulated results, imposed candidates, and deepening internal divisions threatening the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 elections, writes CHIMA AZUBUIKE
What was expected to showcase the strength and unity of the All Progressives Congress in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections has instead exposed simmering tensions, growing distrust among party stakeholders, and renewed concerns over the credibility of internal democracy within Nigeria’s ruling party.
The fallout from the APC House of Representatives direct primaries has sparked a fierce battle of narratives between the party leadership and aggrieved aspirants, particularly in the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, where allegations that “results were announced for an election that never held” now threaten to overshadow the party’s claims of conducting a transparent and peaceful exercise.
While Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and the state primary election committee insist the process was credible and orderly, one of the defeated aspirants, Alfred-John Attajiri, has openly rejected the outcome, describing the declaration of results as “a direct assault on democracy.”
The controversy has placed the APC in Gombe at a delicate crossroads: either swiftly address the grievances and preserve party unity or risk entering the 2027 electoral cycle with deepening divisions capable of weakening its traditionally strong political structure.
From the outset, the party leadership sought to portray the primaries as a model of internal democracy. Speaking shortly after casting his vote at Jekadafari Nursery School in Gombe metropolis, Governor Yahaya expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, describing it as peaceful and reflective of democratic participation.
“Not only have I seen it, I also participated in the exercise, and I’m happy with the turnout and the conduct of the people, as well as the elections monitoring committee and the management of the elections by the party,” the governor said.
“I’m sure that is what is happening everywhere in the state and I believe we shall have a peaceful primary election.”
The governor’s remarks appeared carefully aimed at reassuring party members and the public that the APC remained united despite months of speculation surrounding consensus arrangements and zoning calculations ahead of the primaries. Yahaya also sought to calm potential post-primary tensions by emphasising reconciliation and party cohesion over political rivalry.
“We are one big family. There is no victor and there is no vanquished as far as I’m concerned. They are all APC members,” he stated.
“I urge everybody to cooperate because for us as one party, we don’t have winners and losers. We shall continue to move together in order to deliver on the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Gombe State.”
Political observers say the governor’s repeated emphasis on unity reflects growing concern within the APC hierarchy that the primaries could leave behind political wounds difficult to heal before the general elections.
The APC leadership also defended its decision to adopt direct primaries following earlier reports of attempted consensus arrangements in some constituencies. According to Governor Yahaya, the process reflected the party’s commitment to democratic principles.
“The primaries being conducted now are what democracy is all about. Members have embraced democracy and they are participating peacefully,” he said.
The Chairman of the APC House of Representatives and Senate Primary Elections Committee, Labiru Musa, reinforced the same position during a press conference in Gombe.
“Pursuant to the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress and in absolute compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, this Committee was given a clear, uncompromised mandate: to deliver a transparent, credible, and flawless primary election across the six Federal House of Representatives constituencies in Gombe State,” Musa declared.
He explained that the direct primary system was deliberately designed to minimise manipulation and eliminate administrative loopholes.
“Voting eligibility was strictly predicated on two synchronised levels of verification: the physical presentation of valid APC membership cards matched against the registers at every voting point,” he said.
“Rather than sitting in a central secretariat, this Committee deployed a hands-on monitoring strategy. We physically visited and embedded ourselves within the majority of the constituencies to witness the voting firsthand.”
Musa further insisted that the exercise was conducted openly and monitored by observers as well as security agencies.
“The operations at all voting points were fully decentralised, conducted completely in the open, and subjected to the scrutiny of independent monitors, civil society observers, and national security agencies,” he stated.
For the APC leadership, the strong emphasis on procedure, transparency, and oversight appeared aimed at strengthening the legitimacy of the outcome and pre-empting allegations of manipulation.
The Numbers and the Winners
The committee eventually announced winners across the six federal constituencies.
In Akko Federal Constituency, Usman Bello Kumo polled 21,813 votes to emerge unopposed.
In Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, Ali Isa JC secured 23,362 votes, defeating Alfred-John Attajiri, who polled 2,822 votes, and Saratu Hamman Jauro, who scored 224 votes.
For Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency, Jamilu Ahmed Shabewa emerged victorious with 28,144 votes against Umar Ahmed’s 1,066 votes.
In Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, Saddam Bello defeated Zakariya Jidda with 54,260 votes against 5,902.
Meanwhile, Fatima Binta Bello and Inuwa Garba emerged unopposed in Kaltungo/Shongom and Yamaltu/Deba federal constituencies respectively.
The committee described the turnout and conduct of the exercise as evidence that the APC’s internal democratic structure remained “robust, stable, and deeply institutionalised.”
However, almost immediately after the announcement of the results, cracks within the party began to surface.
Attajiri’s rejection changes narrative
The most significant challenge to the credibility of the exercise came from Alfred-John Attajiri, one of the aspirants in the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency.
In a strongly worded statement, Attajiri outrightly rejected the declared results, insisting that no valid primary election took place across the constituency.
“The announcement of results for an election that never held is a direct assault on democracy,” he declared.
Attajiri accused former commissioner, Mohammed Fawu, of announcing results for a process that allegedly never took place.
“It is deeply disturbing that Hon. Mohammed Sa’idu Yila Fawu went ahead to announce results for a process that was never conducted,” he alleged.
The aspirant further claimed there was extensive evidence suggesting that no actual voting exercise occurred before the declaration of results.
“Across Balanga and Billiri, there is overwhelming evidence in the form of videos, photographs, eyewitness accounts, and reports clearly showing that no valid electoral exercise took place before results were declared,” he said.
The allegations struck directly at the heart of the APC committee’s insistence that the primaries were transparent, credible, and verifiable. If substantiated, the claims could significantly undermine the legitimacy of the exercise and expose the party to internal litigation and prolonged political disputes ahead of the general elections.
Internal Democracy on Trial
The dispute in Balanga/Billiri reflects a broader national challenge confronting major political parties in Nigeria — the persistent tension between formal democratic procedures and entrenched political power structures.
Although direct primaries are often promoted as a more transparent alternative to delegate-based systems, critics argue that they can still be manipulated through control of membership registers, accreditation processes, and result collation mechanisms.
Attajiri’s statement directly questioned whether party members genuinely exercised their voting rights during the exercise.
“This development is not only an insult to the democratic rights of party members and delegates, but also a dangerous precedent capable of destroying the confidence and credibility our great party has built over the years,” he said.
His criticism extended beyond the constituency and touched on the APC’s broader democratic image nationally.
“We are all members of the APC. We have remained loyal, committed, and dedicated to the progress of the party and the success of its leadership at every level. However, if injustice is allowed to thrive openly within our internal party system in this manner, Nigerians will naturally begin to question what the outcome of future elections may look like.”
For political analysts, that position may prove particularly significant because it frames the dispute not merely as a local grievance, but as a wider referendum on the integrity of internal democracy and Nigeria’s broader electoral culture.
The Stakes for Governor Yahaya
For Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, the fallout from the primaries carries both political and strategic implications.
Over the years, the governor has carefully projected the Gombe APC as one of the most organised and stable chapters of the ruling party, maintaining firm control of party structures while largely avoiding the factional crises that have troubled APC chapters in several other states.
However, the post-primary tensions now threaten to test that stability.
Yahaya’s repeated insistence that “there is no victor and there is no vanquished” reflects growing recognition within the party that reconciliation may be necessary to prevent the alienation of key political blocs ahead of the general elections.
Political insiders believe the APC leadership in Gombe is likely to intensify behind-the-scenes negotiations with dissatisfied aspirants in an effort to prevent defections and anti-party activities.
Such reconciliation efforts are common after Nigerian party primaries, where aggrieved aspirants often wield enough local influence to weaken their party’s electoral chances if left politically isolated.
Attajiri further escalated the matter by appealing directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, to intervene.
“I therefore make a passionate appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, to urgently intervene in this matter in order to restore hope, justice, and renewed confidence in the APC as a truly democratic institution,” he said.
The appeal suggests that the aggrieved camp may pursue formal petitions before the party’s national leadership or even approach the courts if dissatisfied with internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
The development also raises the possibility of prolonged post-primary litigation — a recurring feature of Nigerian politics that has historically weakened political parties ahead of major elections.
Between peace and frustration
Despite his strong objections to the process, Attajiri urged his supporters to remain calm and peaceful.
“To our supporters, youths, women, elders, and all well-meaning citizens across Balanga and Billiri, I urge you to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding,” he said.
“Do not allow provocation or frustration to lead to violence, unrest, or actions capable of disrupting the peace of our communities. Our struggle is for justice, not chaos.”
While the appeal may have helped ease immediate tensions within the constituency, it also underscored the emotional intensity surrounding the dispute.
Within the APC, there are growing fears that unresolved grievances could quietly weaken grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the polls.
The APC primary election committee has already forwarded the results to the party’s National Working Committee for ratification. However, ratification alone may not be enough to end the controversy.
The central question remains whether the party leadership will prioritise reconciliation and transparent dispute resolution or simply enforce the announced outcomes through party machinery.
If the grievances are ignored, the APC risks creating lingering resentments capable of resurfacing during the general election campaign.
On the other hand, reopening the process or ordering reruns in disputed constituencies could trigger fresh controversies and embolden other dissatisfied aspirants across the state.
For now, the Gombe APC finds itself navigating a familiar but risky terrain in Nigerian politics — balancing party supremacy with democratic legitimacy.
And as competing narratives continue to emerge from the primaries, one reality appears increasingly unavoidable: while the battle for the APC tickets may have ended officially, the political fallout is only just beginning.
Several aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress in Gombe State have continued to fault the conduct of the party’s House of Representatives direct primaries, alleging widespread irregularities, inflated figures, and what they described as the implementation of a pre-arranged consensus list disguised as a democratic exercise.
In separate interviews with journalists, party stakeholders from Balanga and Billiri accused the APC leadership of merely “acting out a script” whose outcome, they claimed, had already been predetermined before voting commenced.
Abubakar Ismaila alleged that the figures eventually announced by the party’s election committee did not reflect the actual turnout witnessed at many polling centres across the constituency.
“What happened cannot honestly be described as a transparent direct primary,” he said.
“In several polling units, the counting process itself raised serious concerns. People were counting from one and suddenly jumping figures — 50, 100, 500, 1,000 — even when the number of people physically present did not justify such numbers.”
According to him, many loyal party members who came out expecting a competitive and transparent exercise left disappointed.
“The painful thing is that APC members genuinely came out believing their votes would count. But many people already suspected the winners had been decided long before the exercise started,” Ismaila alleged.
Another stakeholder, Kingsley Musa, described the exercise as “a sham wrapped in the language of democracy,” insisting that what took place in several parts of Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency fell far short of the expectations of party members.
“We were told this would be a direct primary where ordinary members would decide who flies the party’s ticket. But what we saw was simply the fulfilment of all righteousness,” he said.
“The consensus arrangement may have failed publicly, but in reality the consensus list was what was eventually executed. The voting exercise only became a formality to legitimise decisions already taken by powerful interests within the party.”
Kingsley further alleged that some voting centres witnessed confusion over accreditation procedures and inconsistencies in vote collation.
“In some wards, there were delays and uncertainty. Yet before people could even understand what was happening, figures had already emerged from certain centres. That is why many members are angry,” he added.
Similarly, Danladi Jacob warned that the failure of the party leadership to address grievances arising from the primaries could weaken confidence among grassroots supporters ahead of the general elections.
“People are not against leadership decisions, but they want fairness and transparency,” Jacob said.
“When members feel their participation does not matter because outcomes are already predetermined, it discourages genuine political involvement.”
Jacob also raised concerns over what he described as the lack of Christian representation in elective positions within Gombe South.
“Do you know that in the entire Gombe South there is no Christian House of Representatives member, aside from the Senate position, which is inevitable? If they had their way, they would still try to influence it. One question that comes to mind is whether Gombe North would accept a Christian representative in a constituency with over 70 per cent Muslim dominance, so why attempt such here?” he queried.
He added that the controversy surrounding the primaries was already creating divisions among supporters at the grassroots level.
“Many young people who mobilised for the APC are disappointed. They expected competition, voting, and transparency. What they saw instead has left many questioning whether the exercise truly reflected the will of party members,” he stated.
The allegations have further complicated the political atmosphere surrounding the APC primaries in Gombe State, particularly after Alfred-John Attajiri rejected the outcome of the Balanga/Billiri contest and declared that “results were announced for an election that never held.”
Despite the growing criticism, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and the party’s primary election committee have continued to defend the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and credible.
However, political observers say the competing narratives emerging from within the party reveal deeper tensions beneath the APC’s public show of unity in Gombe State.
Others argue that the controversy has once again reopened national debates over whether direct primaries genuinely strengthen internal democracy or merely provide procedural cover for elite political arrangements settled behind closed doors.
QUOTE
Read the full article here
