By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Concerned youths and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jos-South Local Government Area of Plateau State have cautioned against the imposition of a candidate, warning that what they described as a manipulated result could threaten the fragile peace and trust within the area.
The group said that, based on results allegedly known to party members at the end of the primary election, Hon. Mancha John Vincent polled 4,326 votes to emerge winner of the contest.
Briefing journalists on Friday at the APC Secretariat in Jos, the group’s spokesperson, Andrew Dalyop, called on the national leadership of the APC to intervene and ensure that the declared result reflects the actual votes cast by party members.
He also appealed to the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protect internal democracy and prevent what he described as injustice against APC members in Jos-South.
Dalyop further urged the party leadership to immediately announce what he called the authentic result of the Jos-South House of Assembly primary election conducted on May 20, 2026.
He expressed concern over the delay in the official declaration of the result more than 48 hours after voting had been concluded across the local government area, saying the situation had created suspicion, anxiety, and tension among party members.
According to him, results were already known at the local level following the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
He also alleged that members of the group were in possession of two separate result documents—one of which, he claimed, reflected the authentic outcome of the election, while the other contained figures that did not correspond with the actual votes cast.
He said the documents would be made available to the press and relevant authorities for verification and scrutiny.
The group maintained that party members who participated in the exercise deserved to have their votes respected, warning against any attempt to substitute or alter the outcome after voting had been concluded.
They noted that Jos-South remained a politically conscious and peaceful local government area, where political balance and mutual respect among districts such as Vwang, Kuru, Gyel, Zaang, and Du had helped sustain harmony over the years.
The stakeholders urged youths and supporters to remain calm, disciplined, and law-abiding while awaiting the intervention of party authorities.
They reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and their commitment to peace, unity, and the success of the party in Jos-South, Plateau State, and Nigeria at large.
They also insisted that democracy can only be strengthened when electoral outcomes truly reflect the will of the people.
