The Fatherland Front for Growth and Development, a non-governmental organisation, has called on the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to urgently address controversies arising from the party’s recently concluded primary elections.
The group’s National Secretary, Dr. AK Peters, made the appeal during a press conference in Abuja, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Prof. Yelwatda, to intervene and ensure that justice, fairness, and democratic principles prevail.
Peters said political parties stand a better chance in general elections when they present their most credible and democratically elected candidates to the electorate.
According to him, Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when the will of party members is respected, internal democracy is protected, and fairness remains the guiding principle.
While acknowledging that political parties across the country had concluded their primaries, he said the controversies trailing some of the exercises continued to generate concern among stakeholders and citizens.
He commended the general compliance with the amended Electoral Act, particularly the provisions recognising consensus and direct primaries, but noted that some outcomes of the APC primaries fell short of democratic expectations.
According to Peters, influential political actors and entrenched godfathers allegedly imposed preferred candidates in some instances despite clear indications that party members had rejected them.
“It is important to state that although the conduct of the primaries of the ruling APC was satisfactory in several areas, certain outcomes fell short of democratic expectations and public confidence,” he said.
“We therefore call on the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Yelwatda, as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leader of the party, to urgently intervene and ensure that justice, fairness, and democratic principles prevail.”
Peters cited the Oyo North Senatorial District primary, alleging that Dr. Gbenga Adegbola won convincingly in nine out of the 13 local government areas but was denied recognition, while another aspirant was allegedly favoured.
He also referenced the Kwara South Senatorial District primary, where Dr. Muheebah Dankaka was reportedly declared winner but later denied the party ticket.
According to him, the development was widely perceived as unjust and discriminatory because Dankaka is a woman.
He expressed concern over the low representation of women in the National Assembly, noting that only five women currently occupy seats in the 109-member Senate.
“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 governance and legislative leadership,” he said.
“Nigeria cannot afford to sideline capable women whose contributions are essential to achieving balance, inclusion, and progressive national development.”
Peters said the Fatherland Front, as an organisation committed to justice, fairness, and democratic growth, strongly condemned what it described as apparent miscarriages of justice during the primaries.
He urged the APC National Working Committee to investigate the reported irregularities and uphold results that truly reflected the votes cast by party members.
He also appealed to aggrieved members to remain calm and seek redress through lawful means.
“The APC cannot afford to alienate loyal members and grassroots mobilisers at a time when unity is critical ahead of the general elections. Justice and equity must be seen to be done,” he added.
Speaking at the briefing, the organisation’s National Vice Chairman, MS Abubakar, said the group was not politically affiliated but comprised concerned citizens interested in good governance and electoral fairness.
According to him, the organisation’s concerns were not limited to a single political party, but extended to all parties and situations where irregularities were alleged in the conduct and declaration of primary election results.
