The mobilisation team supporting Mohammed Adamu, a retired Inspector General of Police and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, has alleged plans to pressure ward executives to endorse a preferred candidate ahead of the party’s primaries.
The development comes amid reports that Governor Abdullahi Sule recently identified Senator Ahmed Wadada as his preferred aspirant and potential successor for the 2027 governorship race.
In a press statement issued in Lafia, the chairman of the mobilisation team, Isa Nathaniel, described the alleged move as a threat to internal democracy within the party.
According to him, some stakeholders are reportedly mounting pressure on ward executives across the state’s 147 wards to align with the governor’s choice, a move he said contradicts earlier agreements among party members.
Nathaniel noted that APC stakeholders had previously resolved to adopt direct primaries for all elective positions to ensure transparency and inclusiveness through a “one member, one vote” system.
“It is a betrayal of that agreement to now attempt to influence or compel ward executives to endorse any aspirant,” he said.
He further argued that such actions run contrary to the party’s constitution, which outlines procedures for the democratic selection of candidates. He stressed that ward executives, as grassroots representatives, should not be subjected to intimidation or undue influence.
The mobilisation chairman warned that imposing candidates through coercion could trigger internal conflicts and weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
He called on the party’s National Working Committee to step in and uphold due process.
“We demand urgent intervention from the National Working Committee of the party to halt this unfolding illegality and restore constitutional order,” he said.
Nathaniel also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to closely monitor developments to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
He appealed to party members to remain calm and participate peacefully in the primaries scheduled for May 21, reiterating that candidate selection should be based on a free and fair process.
Meanwhile, the state chairman of the party, Aliyu Bello, assured members that the primaries would be conducted in a transparent and credible manner, reaffirming the party’s commitment to direct primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NAN
