By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
A group under the umbrella of Like Minds of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the declaration of Abdulkadir Hassan as the party’s candidate for the Jos North-North State Constituency, describing the decision as a violation of democratic principles.
Addressing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jos on Tuesday, the group’s Secretary, Michael Iliya Rotshak Augustine, said the results of the APC primary election showed that Adamu Aliyu polled 13,066 votes but was not cleared by the party and was therefore disqualified.
According to him, the official results indicated that Harry Ishaya Markus came second with 1,904 votes, Shehu Bala Usman placed third with 239 votes, while Abdulkadir Hassan came fourth with 182 votes.
The group argued that following the disqualification of the leading aspirant, the party should have declared Harry Ishaya Markus, who scored the next highest number of votes, as the winner and issued him the certificate of return.
It described the declaration of the fourth-placed aspirant as an act of favouritism, manipulation and imposition capable of undermining internal democracy within the APC.
The group vowed to pursue all lawful means to ensure that justice prevails, insisting that its actions are aimed at protecting the integrity of the party rather than weakening it.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Youth Council (PSYC) has appealed for calm following protests that erupted in parts of Jos North-North Constituency over the outcome of the APC primary election.
In a statement jointly signed by the Council’s Public Relations Officer, Bahal Nanpyal Mark, and Chairman, Panan Gongden Dapar, the council urged party members, supporters and residents to allow due process to take its course in the interest of peace and stability.
The council noted that the protests were triggered by the declaration of Abdulkadir Hassan as the APC candidate despite reports that he finished fourth in the primary election after the initial winner was disqualified.
According to the results announced at the collation centre, Adamu Aliyu scored 13,066 votes, Harry Ishaya Markus 1,904 votes, Shehu Bala Usman 239 votes, while Abdulkadir Hassan polled 182 votes.
The Youth Council recalled that it had earlier urged all political parties in Plateau State to conduct transparent and credible primaries to prevent disputes capable of threatening the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
It commended its leadership and other stakeholders for successfully persuading protesters to suspend their demonstrations and reopen blocked roads, describing the action as a demonstration of the people’s commitment to peace and dialogue.
The council further called on the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, and the Plateau State Chairman of the party, Hon. Rufus Bature, to ensure that justice, fairness and equity guide the resolution of the dispute.
According to the council, a transparent and credible resolution of the matter will strengthen confidence in the democratic process and preserve peace and unity in Jos North-North Constituency and Plateau State as a whole.
