Salihu Girei, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, has officially rejected his unexplained omission from the party’s primary election held on Thursday, calling for a review and a fresh primary to ensure fairness and transparency. Girei, who participated in the screening process as required by party guidelines, claims his name was entirely left out of the final list of cleared candidates without any prior notice or justification. He emphasized that he received no communication from the screening committee regarding disqualification, adverse findings, or any decision affecting his eligibility. Nor was he invited to appear before the Post-Screening Appeal Committee, which further deepens his concerns about the integrity of the process.
In a statement released to the media on Friday evening, Girei expressed shock and dismay at the sudden exclusion, stating that throughout the entire screening exercise, there was no indication that he had been disqualified or barred from participating. He stressed that his participation was in full compliance with the APC’s internal procedures, and the lack of communication from the party authorities raises serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the primary. Girei believes the omission has effectively denied him the right to compete in a process meant to be democratic and inclusive, undermining the party’s commitment to equal opportunity for all aspirants.
The aspirant formally appealed to the National Chairman of the APC, through the Adamawa State APC Appeal Committee, to intervene in the matter. He requested a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding his exclusion, the restoration of his name on the revised list of cleared candidates, and the organization of a fresh primary election to allow him to participate fully and fairly. Girei’s complaint came just hours after the APC declared Ahmed Tijani Galadima as the winner of the governorship primary, adding urgency to his appeal for redress.
This development has sparked discussions within the party and among political observers about the need for clear, transparent, and accountable processes in APC’s internal elections. Girei’s case highlights the importance of due process and communication in ensuring that all candidates are treated equitably. As the APC prepares for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Adamawa State, the outcome of this appeal may set a precedent for how disputes in primary elections are handled in the future. The party’s leadership now faces the challenge of addressing Girei’s concerns to maintain trust and credibility in its internal democratic mechanisms.
Leave a Comment