Tensions Rise in Numan as APC Aspirants Protest Alleged Imposition of House of Reps Candidate

Tensions Rise in Numan as APC Aspirants Protest Alleged Imposition of House of Reps Candidate

Dozens of aggrieved House of Representatives aspirants and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Southern Senatorial Zone took to the streets of Numan on Saturday, staging a peaceful protest against the alleged imposition of Kwamoti Laori as the party’s candidate for the Demsa, Numan, and Lamurde federal constituency.

The demonstrators gathered at the APC Zonal Secretariat carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No to Imposition,” “Allow Free Primaries,” and “Let the People Decide,” rejecting what they described as a backdoor selection process that sidelines grassroots participation.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the aspirants disclosed that the protest was triggered by reports that a single candidate had already been anointed without any form of consultation or primary election.

“We are not against any individual, but we are firmly against a process that shuts out other aspirants and ignores the will of party members at the grassroots. Democracy within the party must be respected,” one of the aspirants said.

The aggrieved party members noted that they had invested significant time and resources in mobilizing support across the three local government areas and, therefore, deserve a level playing field. They called on the state and national leadership of the APC to cancel any imposed list and ensure a transparent primary election is conducted.

Despite their grievances, the aspirants reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC, warning that imposition weakens the party and hands the opposition an unfair advantage in the general election.

“Our demand is simple: let the members choose who represents them. Imposition weakens the party and gives the opposition an advantage,” they added.

The protest ended peacefully, with the aspirants pledging to continue engaging party structures through constitutional channels while awaiting the response of the party’s leadership.