Group alleges manipulation of Reps’ primary election in Kaduna

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

National President of Capacity Movement, Alhaji Sani Shehu Sado, alleges widespread irregularities and manipulation in the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in parts of the state.

Sado accuses government-backed interests of coercing party leadership into serving the interests of powerful political actors at the expense of internal democracy and party members’ wishes.

In a statement made available to journalists, the movement’s president claims that party leaders and officials were absent from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in over 95 percent of monitored wards within Kaduna metropolis, and that the situation might be worse in rural areas, raising concerns about the process’s credibility and transparency.

He alleges that the primary election involved manipulation, exclusion of genuine delegates, and attempts to impose preferred candidates on party members.

According to him, “members must be allowed to freely choose flag bearers in a free, fair, and credible primary election devoid of intimidation, coercion, and political interference.”

Sado warned that the party risks losing public confidence and support ahead of the general election if urgent steps are not taken to address grievances from the exercise.

He stated that the APC must return to the principles of fairness, justice, and internal democracy or face serious consequences during the main election.