An aspirant for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Alfred-John Attajiri, has rejected the outcome of the party’s primary election, alleging that results were announced for an election that never took place.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, Attajiri described the declaration of results by former Gombe State Commissioner, Hon. Mohammed Sa’idu Yila Fawu, as “a direct assault on democracy.”
Our correspondent reports that Ali Isa, who was declared consensus candidate won the direct primary.
“The announcement of results for an election that never held is a direct assault on democracy,” Attajiri stated.
He alleged that no valid electoral process was conducted across Balanga and Billiri before the results were announced.
“Across Balanga and Billiri, there is overwhelming evidence in the form of videos, photographs, eyewitness accounts, and reports showing clearly that no valid electoral exercise took place before results were declared,” he said.
According to him, the development has deeply disappointed party members and supporters in the constituency and could damage the credibility of the APC.
“This development is not only an insult to the democratic rights of party members and delegates, but also a dangerous precedent capable of destroying the confidence and credibility our great party, the APC, has built over the years,” he added.
The aspirant warned that allowing such actions to stand could weaken public trust in future elections.
“We have remained loyal, committed, and dedicated to the progress of the party and the success of its leadership at every level. However, if injustice is allowed to thrive openly within our internal party system in this manner, Nigerians will naturally begin to question what the outcome of future elections may look like,” he said.
Attajiri further claimed that residents of the constituency were “deeply disappointed, heartbroken, and rapidly losing confidence in the party structure.”
“Democracy must never be reduced to the mere announcement of predetermined results where no election was conducted,” he stressed.
He called on President Bola Tinubu and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda to intervene and ensure justice.
“I therefore make a passionate appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, to urgently intervene in this matter in order to restore hope, justice, and renewed confidence in the APC as a truly democratic institution,” he said.
He cautioned supporters against violence, urging them to remain peaceful despite the controversy.
“To our supporters, youths, women, elders, and all well-meaning citizens across Balanga and Billiri, I urge you to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. Our struggle is for justice, not chaos,” Attajiri stated.
