The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda has declared that while the party value every grassroots voice, all grievances arising from the just-concluded party primaries must strictly follow the provisions of the Electoral Act and the party’s internal guidelines.

Prof. Yilwatda made this clarification on Thursday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja while addressing a group of protesters operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of National Civil Society Organizations.

Responding to the demonstrators after receiving the petition on the just concluded party primary in Niger South Senatorial District from the leaders of the protesters, the APC Chairman emphasized that legally, only individuals who actually participated as candidates in the internal elections hold the locus standi to dispute the outcomes.

“I will ask you a few questions,” Yilwatda told the protesters. “Based on the Electoral Act, it is only aspirants that contest that are supposed to lodge complaints. Is that okay? In simple terms, it is the aspirants that contest the election that can challenge the process of the election.”

He advised the civil society group to direct their principals to utilize the party’s established internal conflict resolution mechanisms, noting that any valid grievance must have met the strict statutory timelines.

“I advise you to tell the aspirants to go and write a petition that they were unjustly treated. And that was supposed to be submitted to the appeal committee,” Yilwatda said.

He reminded them that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) window for primary dispute resolutions closed on May 30. “We will forward it to the legal unit to treat them. If they are among those people that submitted within the timeline, because we have to be law-abiding as a party.”

The Chairman assured the crowd that the ruling party is not blind to the concerns of its base, explaining that he cut short his schedule to listen to them because the party relies heavily on the goodwill of ordinary citizens.

“This party is meant to address any problem that people have in the grassroots. We need the people. We need the votes. I’m not going to discard any voice. That’s the reason why I saw this, I have to return back to address you,” he noted.

When questioned by reporters regarding growing anxiety among aspirants over the delay in releasing the final list of successful candidates, as well as demands by some cleared aspirants for refunds, Prof. Yilwatda sued for patience, explaining that a primary election is not the final stage of the nomination process.

“There’s a process for undertaking all those. The legal department is handling all the appeal reports,” the Chairman stated. “That you had an election, that’s not the final decision. Until the appeal has been treated, then we’ll call the National Working Committee. The National Working Committee can now look at both before we now have to finalise.”

In the 2-page petition the coalition demanded the immediate cancellation and nullification of the just-concluded senatorial primary election in the Niger South Senatorial District of Niger State.

They cited in the letter a widespread manipulation, exclusion of legitimate delegates, and external political interference as grounds for their grievance.

In the petition signed by the Deputy National Secretary of the coalition, Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince, the group alleged that the democratic choices of the people were heavily compromised to favor a predetermined outcome.

“This peaceful protest is driven by our collective commitment to electoral justice, internal party democracy, good governance, and the protection of democratic values,” the petition read.

“We are deeply disturbed by the widespread allegations surrounding the conduct of the purported primary election, including claims of irregularities, lack of transparency, exclusion of legitimate delegates, political interference, manipulation of the process, and the alleged imposition of a preferred candidate against the wishes of party members.”

The group directly accused the state executive of attempting to subvert the will of the local electorate, stating unequivocally that “Governor Umaru Bago cannot impose a Senator on the people of Zone A, Niger State.”

The coalition warned that ignoring the brewing anger among party faithful in Niger State could severely hurt the ruling party’s chances at the general polls.

“We consider it unacceptable that a process intended to reflect the democratic choice of delegates has become the subject of serious controversy and widespread rejection,” the coalition stated.

“The CNCSOs wishes to state clearly that democracy cannot thrive where electoral outcomes are perceived to be predetermined. Political parties must remain institutions of participation, competition, accountability, and fairness.” (The Nation)