Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has defended the Adamawa APC primary process amid protests and allegations of candidate imposition by aggrieved party stakeholders in parts of the state. The governor dismissed the complaints as a reflection of political inexperience, insisting that the party’s internal procedures were conducted in line with democratic principles.
The controversy surrounding the Adamawa APC primary emerged after protests were reported in Numan and other areas following the conduct of House of Representatives primary elections within the All Progressives Congress in Adamawa State.
Some party stakeholders and aspirants alleged that the process favoured certain candidates, particularly in the Demsa, Numan and Lamurde Federal Constituency. Protesters carrying placards accused party leaders of imposing candidates and undermining internal democracy.
The dispute comes months after Fintiri’s political realignment with the APC, a development that significantly altered the party structure in Adamawa State and strengthened its grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 political cycle.
Responding to the protests linked to the Adamawa APC primary, Fintiri stated that disagreements were common in political contests and should not be interpreted as evidence of manipulation.
He maintained that no candidate was imposed during the exercise and argued that party members dissatisfied with outcomes were largely inexperienced in managing competitive political processes. The governor also reiterated his earlier position that the APC in Adamawa would not tolerate imposition or political opportunism, stressing that only credible grassroots support and political engagement would determine electoral success.
Stakeholders opposing the outcome of the Adamawa APC primary claimed that electoral materials and officials did not reach several wards during the exercise, allegations they said affected participation and transparency. Despite the protests, party officials have continued consultations aimed at stabilising internal relations and preparing for subsequent electoral activities within the state.
The developments surrounding APC primary in Adamawa highlight ongoing concerns about internal democracy and candidate selection processes within major political parties in Nigeria.
Political analysts note that unresolved disputes arising from party primaries can influence party cohesion, voter confidence, and future electoral alignments, especially in politically strategic states such as Adamawa. The protests also underscore the challenge of integrating competing interests following large-scale political realignments within party structures.
