An All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Obudu-Bekwarra-Obanliku Federal Constituency in Cross River State, Antonia Agbede-Ally, has alleged that no credible primary election was conducted for the House of Representatives seat, raising serious concerns about the party’s internal democracy. Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’, Agbede-Ally claimed that the process was marred by exclusion, intimidation, and political interference from state-level authorities.
Agbede-Ally stated that prior to the supposed primaries, a meeting was convened for all APC members in the region, but she was not invited to attend. Despite being excluded, she said she forced her way into the venue where the meeting was taking place. Inside, she encountered the Chairman of Obudu Local Government Area and several other prominent figures, including the incumbent representative for the constituency, Hon. Peter Akpanke.
During the meeting, Agbede-Ally revealed that she was informed the Cross River State governor had directed party members to support Hon. Akpanke, even though she and another aspirant were present and had expressed their intent to contest the seat. She emphasized that no formal election was held, and in her local area, voters were reportedly instructed to vote for Akpanke, undermining the principle of free and fair primaries.
The aspirant’s allegations point to a pattern of top-down decision-making within the APC, where candidates are chosen through political directives rather than competitive elections. This raises questions about the party’s commitment to inclusivity and transparency in its selection processes. Agbede-Ally’s account suggests that her right to participate in the primary was systematically denied, not through electoral rules, but through administrative and political pressure.
Her claims have sparked debate about the integrity of the APC’s primary elections across Nigeria, especially in states where gubernatorial influence is strong. Critics argue that such practices erode trust in party structures and discourage genuine competition among aspirants. The absence of a transparent primary process may also affect voter confidence in the eventual candidates during the general elections.
Agbede-Ally’s case highlights a broader challenge facing Nigeria’s political parties: balancing party unity with democratic participation. While the APC has not officially responded to her allegations, her testimony underscores the need for reforms in how party primaries are conducted. As the general election approaches, transparency in candidate selection will be crucial to maintaining public trust in the electoral process.
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