Fresh controversy has rocked the All Progressives Congress in Adamawa State after former Petroleum Technology Development Fund boss, Ahmed Tijjani Galadima, was declared winner of the party’s governorship primary amid allegations that no actual voting took place across the state.
Galadima was announced as the winner by Innocent Bariko, chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, who said the former PTDF chief polled 414,444 votes.
According to the announced results, Abdulrazak Namdas came second with 86,004 votes, while Abdulrahman Bashir Haske finished third with 65,934 votes.
However, the declaration immediately sparked outrage among party members and supporters, with several stakeholders insisting that no proper accreditation, voting, or collation took place in many parts of the state.
Some aggrieved APC members described the exercise as a “manufactured primary,” alleging that the results were prepared in advance to favour a preferred candidate.
Reacting to the outcome, Haske openly rejected the figures announced by the committee, questioning how the votes were generated despite widespread claims that no election was conducted anywhere in Adamawa State.
He stated that his camp would consult widely before deciding its next line of action, hinting at possible legal and political moves against the outcome of the primary.
Eyewitnesses at the Government House in Yola, where the results were announced, also noted that representatives of rival aspirants were absent during the declaration, further fueling allegations that the process lacked transparency.
Several APC chieftains accused party leaders of repeating the same pattern of controversial primaries that has previously caused internal crises within the party in Adamawa State.
Political observers have warned that the latest dispute could deepen divisions within the party and potentially weaken the APC ahead of the governorship election if dissatisfied aspirants decide to challenge the process in court or withdraw support.
Meanwhile, Galadima has accepted the nomination and appealed for unity within the party, urging fellow aspirants and their supporters to work together in the interest of the APC.