APC Aspirants File Petitions Over Primaries

Aggrieved aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have filed petitions with the party’s national secretariat over alleged irregularities in its primaries.

According to Daily Trust, findings across several states showed that the petitions were submitted through the party’s appeal committees.

In some states, however, party leaders and stakeholders intervened to prevent disputes from escalating.

In Zamfara State, seven court cases are challenging the outcome of the APC primaries.

The cases include challenges to the emergence of Governor Dauda Lawal as the governorship candidate, Senator Ikira Aliyu Bilbis as the Zamfara Central senatorial candidate, and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura Namoda as the candidate for Zamfara North.

Four other cases involve House of Representatives tickets.

Kogi Senators Petition NWC

In Kogi, Chief Momoh Yusuf Obaro, who contested the Kogi Central Senatorial District primary, petitioned the APC National Working Committee, seeking cancellation of the exercise over alleged irregularities.

Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho of Kogi East also challenged the primary, alleging non-compliance with party guidelines and electoral laws.

Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West claimed he was declared the winner by the returning officer, but his name was later replaced with that of another aspirant at the party secretariat.

In Gombe, former governor, Senator Danjuma Goje, is challenging the senatorial primary in which another aspirant was declared winner.

Two House of Representatives aspirants, Alfred Attaji and Zakariya Jidda, also petitioned the party over alleged irregularities.

The APC governorship primary in the state also generated controversy after former Minister of Transport, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, boycotted the exercise.

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, later defected to the PDP.

Petitions In Ekiti, Edo

In Ekiti, petitions were filed against the emergence of Senator Ayo Arise as the APC candidate for Ekiti North Senatorial District and Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.

In Edo, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu reportedly petitioned the party leadership over the Edo South Senatorial District ticket, alleging irregularities and insisting that he won the primary.