The Divine Mandate for a Renewed Hope Campaign Organization of Hon. Esther Bitrus Danboyi has alleged widespread irregularities in the just-concluded APC House of Representatives primary election for Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, calling on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to investigate the exercise and order fresh elections in affected wards.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing, the Media Director of the campaign organization, Noro Stephen, said the campaign remained committed to democracy, justice, equity, fairness, and the rule of law, but expressed concern over what she described as disruptions and manipulations that marred the primary election process.
Stephen commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Plateau State Governor Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, party members, security agencies, and electoral officials for their roles in ensuring peace during the exercise despite challenges encountered.
She, however, alleged that reports from voters, ward officials, and evidence gathered from the field indicated that the election was characterized by widespread irregularities across several wards in Jos South and Jos East Local Government Areas.
According to her, elections in Jos South LGA were successfully concluded in only five wards including Gyel A, Gyel B, Zawan A, Kuru A, and Kuru B, while other wards reportedly experienced disruptions that allegedly compromised the credibility of the process.
She specifically mentioned Vwang, Turu, Giring, Zawan B, and Bukuru wards, where political thugs allegedly linked to supporters of another aspirant disrupted the process, snatched result sheets, intimidated voters and agents, and interfered with the collation of results.
The campaign organization further alleged that similar incidents occurred in Du District, particularly in Du and Shen wards, where voting was reportedly progressing peacefully before being disrupted.
In Jos East LGA, the campaign claimed that elections were concluded in only three out of the ten federal wards, while wards such as Shere East, Shere West, Federe, Jarawan Kogi, Maijuju Doss, Fobur A, and Fobur B allegedly failed to conduct credible elections due to disruptions and irregularities.
The group maintained that hundreds of party members were disenfranchised, adding that the outcome announced could not be said to reflect the genuine wishes of party members.
Among the concerns raised by the campaign organization were the alleged manipulation and snatching of result sheets, intimidation and harassment of voters, disruption of voting processes, disenfranchisement of party members, and violations of internal party democracy.
The campaign called on the APC National Working Committee to immediately investigate the reported irregularities, review ward reports and testimonies, sanction those responsible for disrupting the process, nullify results from affected wards, and conduct fresh and credible elections where voters were allegedly denied the opportunity to participate.
The organization stressed that its position was not driven by personal animosity but by a commitment to protecting democracy, justice, transparency, and accountability within the party.
“We remain peaceful, law-abiding, and committed to pursuing all constitutional and party mechanisms in seeking redress,” Stephen stated.
Also speaking, Director General of the Campaign Council, Hon. Daniel Kinbeng Mancha, alleged that Hon. Esther Bitrus Danboyi won the primary election conducted on Saturday, May 16, but claimed the process was manipulated in favour of another candidate.
Mancha said the campaign monitored results from across the constituency and believed the outcome did not reflect the actual votes cast. He disclosed that the campaign had already submitted a petition to the APC Appeal Committee and expressed confidence in getting a fair hearing.
The campaign organization called on the APC leadership to act swiftly and impartially in resolving the matter, insisting that justice, fairness, transparency, and accountability must prevail in the interest of democracy and party unity.
