The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the House of Representatives in Taraba State has been marred by delays in the arrival of election officials and materials, raising concerns among party members about the credibility and timely conduct of the exercise. Originally scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026, the primary was rescheduled to Saturday, May 16, 2026, but officials and materials only arrived in Jalingo, the state capital, at approximately 2:40 pm on the same day. This late arrival has sparked fears that the distribution of materials to the 168 wards across the state may not be completed before the scheduled voting time, potentially disrupting the electoral process.
The committee tasked with conducting the primary election arrived at Danbaba Suntai Airport shortly before 2:00 pm and proceeded directly to Taraba Motel, where members of the APC State Working Committee (SWC) were waiting to receive the materials. Despite the delay, Mr. Aaron Atimas, the Director of Publicity for the APC in Taraba State, assured party members that the primary would proceed as planned. He stated that the late arrival would not affect the overall conduct of the election, though he did not provide details on how the logistics would be managed.
However, several party members have expressed skepticism, alleging that the delay may be part of a broader strategy to manipulate the electoral process. Jeremiah Ashu, a party member, questioned the logistics of transporting materials to remote areas such as Gembu on the Mambilla Plateau, Kurmi, Takum, and Ibi, noting that these locations are over 10 hours’ drive from Jalingo. He stressed that such delays could give certain aspirants an unfair advantage by disrupting the fairness of the process.
Stakeholders within the APC have urged the party leadership to ensure transparency and equity in the conduct of the primaries across all wards. They emphasized that any perceived irregularities could erode public trust in the party’s internal democratic processes. At the time of reporting, the primary election had not yet commenced in any part of the state, a development that some party faithful believe is being used to favor specific candidates.
The APC’s primary election in Taraba State is a critical step in the party’s preparation for the 2027 general elections. The outcome will determine who represents the party in the House of Representatives, making the integrity of the process vital. As the party moves forward, the need for swift, transparent, and inclusive electoral procedures remains paramount to maintain credibility and public confidence.
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