Nasarawa State APC governorship aspirant, Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna, popularly known as Sarkin Sharifai, has strongly condemned the party’s recently concluded gubernatorial primaries, calling the process a “mockery of democracy” and a “deeply flawed exercise.” The primaries, held recently across the state, were officially declared in favour of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, as announced by Professor Theodore Maiyaki (SAN), chairman of the election committee. Haruna, a former Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, rejected the results outright, citing widespread irregularities, voter suppression, and manipulation of figures to favour a preferred candidate.
In a statement released by his media aide, Peter Ewu, Haruna detailed how electoral materials and officials failed to arrive at several polling centres, including his own electoral ward. He alleged that loyalists of the government-backed aspirant were deployed as electoral officials in key areas, undermining the credibility of the process. Many party members, he claimed, were left unable to vote due to the absence of materials and personnel, with supporters waiting from morning until late at night for officials who never appeared.
Haruna also raised concerns over intimidation, harassment, and disruptions allegedly carried out by certain individuals during the exercise, which he said created fear and confusion in some polling areas. He emphasized that his allegations are supported by videos, photographs, reports, and testimonies collected from party stakeholders and observers across Nasarawa State. “What happened was nothing more than allocation of figures in most wards across the state. It was an insult to democracy and a betrayal of the electoral process,” he stated.
The APC chieftain accused party leaders of denying members their constitutional right to freely choose their candidate, describing the entire exercise as a charade orchestrated with impunity. He called on the APC National Secretariat to cancel the primaries and conduct fresh, transparent, and credible governorship primaries in line with democratic principles. Despite his grievances, Haruna affirmed his commitment to peace, political maturity, and democratic engagement as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
He urged his supporters to remain calm, law-abiding, and non-violent while efforts are made to address the alleged injustice. “Politics should never become a source of hatred, division, or violence among our people,” he added. Haruna disclosed that he has initiated extensive consultations with supporters, political associates, elders, youth and women groups, community leaders, and other stakeholders within and outside the state. These consultations aim to review the current political situation and determine the most appropriate course of action for his supporters and the people of Nasarawa State.
“At the end of these consultations, we will formally unveil our next political direction and position to the public,” Haruna concluded. His actions signal a growing demand for transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s political parties, especially as the 2027 elections draw closer.
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