‘Election never held’: Gombe APC primaries rocked by fraud allegations
Allegations of fraud and manipulated results in the APC House of Representatives primaries in Gombe State have sparked controversy, with defeated aspirant Alfred-John Attajiri rejecting the outcome as undemocratic. Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and the state primary election committee defend the process as credible, but divisions risk undermining party unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries in Gombe State have descended into turmoil after allegations that results were announced for an election that never took place. The controversy centers on the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, where aspirants and party members claim fraud undermined the process, with Alfred-John Attajiri calling the outcome a direct assault on democracy. Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and the state primary election committee insist the primaries were orderly and transparent, describing the exercise as peaceful and reflective of democratic participation. Yahaya, who voted at Jekadafari Nursery School, emphasized reconciliation and unity, stating that the APC has no winners or losers and urging cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections. The APC leadership defended its decision to conduct direct primaries, rejecting earlier attempts at consensus arrangements in some constituencies. Chairman of the APC House of Representatives and Senate Primary Elections Committee, Labiru Musa, claimed the process adhered strictly to party constitutions and the Electoral Act 2026. Despite the governor’s assurances, political observers warn the controversy could leave lasting divisions within the party. The APC in Gombe now faces a critical choice: address grievances to preserve unity or risk entering the electoral cycle fractured. The fallout threatens to overshadow the party’s claims of internal democracy and its traditionally strong political structure in the state.
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