Controversy has continued to trail the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election for the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in Plateau State, as officials who conducted the exercise have alleged pressure by some aggrieved aspirants to discredit its outcome.
The officials, operating under the aegis of the Forum of Ward Presiding Officers, Local Government Collation Officers and Constituency Collation/Returning Officers, made the allegation while addressing journalists in Jos on Tuesday.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, its Chairman, Chinwatda Tapar, alleged that some aspirants approached election officials and urged them to sign affidavits that contradicted the facts surrounding the APC primary election held on May 16, 2026.
Tapar further alleged that some officials were offered monetary inducements, while others were subjected to intimidation and pressure in an attempt to secure their cooperation.
He said the forum rejected the alleged overtures, insisting that such actions were inconsistent with the facts surrounding the conduct of the primary election.
“Our duty was to conduct a free, fair and credible election, not to become instruments in any post-election effort aimed at distorting the truth,” Tapar said.
He explained that the officials were appointed by the APC National Secretariat through the committee set up to conduct the 2026 National Assembly primary elections in Plateau State, chaired by Hon. Stella Okotete.
According to him, the committee deployed the officials to conduct the primary election for the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency.
Tapar maintained that the exercise was conducted peacefully, transparently and in line with the APC constitution and guidelines, after which a winner was declared and returned.
The forum said it had preserved relevant information concerning the alleged contacts and approaches by the aggrieved aspirants, adding that such evidence would be made available to law enforcement agencies, the APC leadership or a court of competent jurisdiction when required.
It stressed that all grievances arising from the primary election should be pursued through lawful, transparent and democratic channels.
“Our responsibility as Ward Presiding Officers, Local Government Collation Officers and Constituency Collation/Returning Officer ended with the successful conduct of the primary election and the declaration of its outcome,” Tapar stated.
The forum urged APC members and other stakeholders to respect due process, uphold the truth and allow disputes arising from the primary election to be resolved through appropriate legal and institutional channels.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to truth, fairness, due process and the democratic ideals of the APC, insisting that it would not be drawn into any attempt to undermine the credibility of the primary election.
