APC Primaries: Group Warns Tinubu Against Imposing Rejected Lawmakers

An advocacy group, Transparency and Intelligence Watch, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against overturning the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primaries by imposing aspirants rejected by party members.

The group issued the warning on Monday during a press conference in Akure, Ondo State, insisting that lawmakers who failed to secure return tickets through the party’s direct primaries should not be returned through what it described as the “back door.”

Addressing journalists, the President and Secretary of the group, Barrister Joel Adelakin and Princess Margaret Ikechukwu, said any attempt to substitute candidates who emerged from the primaries with incumbent lawmakers would undermine the democratic choice of APC members.

Several serving National Assembly members, including some recent defectors to the APC, reportedly failed to secure return tickets during the primaries held last month.

Adelakin described those allegedly pushing for a reversal of the primary results as “enemies of democracy,” warning that such a move could have political consequences for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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“All elections are local. The grassroots have spoken through the direct primaries. Any attempt to override their choices will not only alienate party loyalists but hand undue advantage to the opposition,” he said.

The group alleged that dissatisfaction was growing among some APC stakeholders, including governors in the South-West, over perceived efforts to alter the outcomes of the primaries.

According to Adelakin, key party figures, including the Vice President and influential stakeholders in Lagos State, were uncomfortable with attempts to replace candidates who emerged through the primaries with lawmakers rejected by party members.

“These are the same people who will determine the outcome of the general elections. If their mandate is disregarded, protest votes could significantly affect the President’s re-election bid,” he added.

Transparency and Intelligence Watch identified states such as Lagos, Ondo, Benue, Ekiti, Delta and Borno as potential flashpoints if the party leadership tampered with the primary results, citing alleged grievances over candidate selection.

The group noted that while some lawmakers earned renewed support through sustained engagement with their constituents, others were rejected due to what it described as poor grassroots connection.

It also expressed concern over developments in Ogun State, alleging that political manoeuvring had sidelined preferred candidates and could provoke resistance among party supporters.

Specifically in Ondo State, the group urged the President to respect the outcome of the primaries that produced candidates such as Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti and others, stressing that the credibility of the process must be protected.

“He should not allow his handlers to pressure him into imposing rejected candidates. Doing so would undermine internal democracy and weaken the party’s credibility,” the group stated.

The group called on President Tinubu to uphold fairness, internal democracy and respect for grassroots participation, warning that any attempt to alter the outcome of the primaries could have far-reaching political implications for the APC.