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Aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside stakeholders and constituents from Niger South Senatorial District (Zone A) of Niger State, on Thursday took their protest to the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, demanding the cancellation of the district’s recently concluded senatorial primary election and the conduct of a fresh exercise.
The protesters, who marched under the banner of the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs), converged on the APC National Secretariat in Wuse II, where they submitted a formal petition to the party leadership alleging widespread irregularities in the conduct of the primary election.
The delegation, comprising party faithful, youths, women groups, community leaders and concerned stakeholders from the senatorial district, accused those responsible for the exercise of undermining internal party democracy through alleged manipulation of the electoral process.
In the petition signed by the Deputy National Secretary of the CNCSOs, Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as a flawed primary election allegedly characterized by lack of transparency, exclusion of legitimate delegates, political interference and the imposition of a preferred candidate.
According to the coalition, the controversies surrounding the exercise have triggered widespread dissatisfaction among party members and constituents who believe the outcome did not reflect the democratic wishes of delegates and stakeholders across the district.
The petitioners maintained that their action was driven by a commitment to electoral justice, democratic accountability and the preservation of fairness within party structures.
“We are deeply disturbed by the widespread allegations surrounding the conduct of the purported primary election,” the coalition stated, adding that democracy within political parties must be protected from manipulation and abuse of power.
The protesters called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to immediately nullify the disputed primary election and organize a fresh exercise in line with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and established guidelines governing party primaries.
They further demanded an end to political interference and candidate imposition, insisting that the choice of party candidates should remain the exclusive prerogative of delegates and party members.
The coalition argued that political parties serve as critical institutions of democracy and must therefore uphold transparency, participation, accountability and fairness in all internal electoral processes. 
Warning that unresolved grievances could deepen divisions within the party, the group urged the APC leadership to act decisively to restore confidence among members and prevent further erosion of trust in the party’s democratic credentials.
The protesters also declared that the people of Niger South Senatorial District deserve a candidate produced through a credible democratic process rather than one perceived to have emerged through political influence.
As part of their message, the coalition reaffirmed its protest theme: “Defend Democracy. Reject Imposition. Restore Internal Party Fairness,” while insisting that the voices of delegates and constituents must remain paramount in determining political representation.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the party, the APC National Chairman thanked the protesters for conducting a peaceful demonstration and assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to the appropriate organs of the party for consideration.
The chairman, however, pointed out that under the Electoral Act and party regulations, aspirants who participated in the primary election possess the legal standing to challenge the conduct and outcome of the exercise.
He explained that the party had established an appeal mechanism to address complaints arising from the primaries and advised the protesters to ensure that aggrieved aspirants pursued available channels for redress.
According to him, all petitions submitted within the timelines prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and party guidelines are being reviewed by the relevant committees and legal authorities.
He nevertheless assured the delegation that their petition would be forwarded to the party’s legal department for examination.
The APC chairman emphasized that the ruling party remains committed to resolving genuine grievances and strengthening internal democracy.
“We need the people. We need the votes. And we cannot discard any voice,” he told the protesters.
He added that the APC leadership remains open to hearing concerns from members at the grassroots and pledged that issues raised through lawful channels would receive appropriate attention.
The protest marks another chapter in the growing controversy surrounding the APC senatorial primary in Niger South Senatorial District, with political observers closely watching how the party leadership handles the demands for a review of the exercise amid calls for fairness, justice and party unity.
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