APC Primary Crisis: Protesters storm party's National Secretariat as Ex IGP Abba turns prayer warrior against Oshiomhole

Dozens of protesters from different states of the federation stormed the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress to protest alleged imposition of candidates during the just concluded National Assembly primaries.

Sets of protesters from Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Jigawa and Enugu states were at the party secretariat, on Monday, to register their displeasure over what some of them described as the imposition of candidates as well as injustice.

A twist was added to the protests by a former Inspector - General of Police, Suleiman Abba, who lost out in the scramble for senatorial tickets.

He simply addressed a press conference where he rained curses on the party leadership.

Abba , who was an aspirant for the Jigawa South Senatorial District, waxed spiritual when he asked God to remove “any person” in the APC who was trying to play god.

The former IGP shocked reporters when he appeared at an impromptu media briefing and started raining curses.

Abba bought the Senatorial and Expression of Interest forms and was first cleared but the party’s National Working Committee issued a statement later saying his name was erroneously included.

No reason was given by the NWC for its action.

Abba, who was visibly angry, told reporters, “Let me say that this is not a time for too much talk. This is a time for prayers and I want you all to please join me in this prayer.

“The prayer is this: Oh Almighty God, any person copying you and their powers should not be in this headquarters of the APC.

“Almighty God, if there is already one; you know what to do, so that you don ’t allow him to continue copying you.

“Almighty God, any person claiming to be an officer of the APC, if he will not work with the vision and the mission of the APC, Almighty God, don’t allow him to use the demon style of destroying the APC.”

He further said, “You know also too well that I have been a card - carrying member of the APC for over 18 months and you are also aware that a list was released where I was duly cleared and another list was also released delisting my name.”

The former IGP, who declined to answer questions from reporters, said, “You should join us in prayers.”

Another group of protesters under the aegis of Awareness for Good Leadership, Peace and Development from Enugu State staged a peaceful protest in front of the party’s national secretariat.

They alleged that malpractices marred the conduct of the exercise in Awgu South constituency of Enugu South.

The Spokesman for the group, Dr Emeka Osaac, said, “As members of the APC who actively participated in the primary election in the above -named constituency in Enugu State, we didn’t witness any election in the above- named constituency.”

Also, party members from Kano State who claimed to be supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (House of Reps), Kawu Sumaila, besieged the secretariat to protest the return ticket given to the senator representing Kano South Senatorial District, Kabiru Gaya.

Gaya was declared the winner of the primary election conducted across the 16 local governments, 171 wards which make up Kano South Senatorial District.

The protesters led by Muhammad Awwal Kofa, alleged that the exercise which produced Gaya was rigged.

Kofa said, “The primary election in Kano State was not conducted by the electoral panel sent by the National Headquarters and the result was not announced by the appropriate official legally.

“The election was rigged and a false result was announced. This election process was entirely in contravention of our party’s guidelines and constitution.”

Earlier, the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, inaugurated a National Appeal Committee for the party’s recently - conducted presidential, the governorship and legislative primary elections.

A former Edo State governor, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor, was named as chairman. Other members are Mike Ugwa (Secretary), Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, Bashorun Reuben Famuyibo and Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu.”

While inaugurating the committee, Oshiomhole, said, “The petitions are quite a lot. Look through them, identify the petitioners, and ensure you put a face to the petitions.

“There must be a fair hearing. The individuals mentioned in the petitions, call them. You must do what is just, bearing in mind the constitution of our party and the Electoral Act.”