By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
Days after political parties concluded their primary elections across the country, uncertainty still surrounds the fate of many aspirants declared winners, as party leadership insists that only national bodies have the authority to confirm final candidates.
Findings show that for most parties, results announced at state level remain provisional until ratified by their National Working Committees (NWCs). Until then, successful aspirants will not receive certificates of return or party flags, nor will their names be forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
So far, no officially declared winner has been issued a certificate of return, a development that has raised concerns among party members and observers.
Major parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), have also recorded complaints and disputes arising from their primaries.
INEC had earlier fixed April 23 to May 30 for the conduct and conclusion of all party primaries, including the resolution of appeals. With the deadline coinciding with non-working days, it is expected that outstanding issues will be resolved shortly.
Sources within the parties say the NWCs are relying on their constitutional powers, as well as INEC’s limited role in monitoring primaries, to take charge of final decisions on candidates.
The National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, recently made it clear that state chapters and electoral committees do not have the authority to declare winners. According to him, all results must be sent to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where the NWC will verify and ratify them.
“The states cannot announce winners until the NWC gives its verdict,” he said during a television interview.
A former INEC Commissioner, Nick Dazang, explained that parties are within their rights to follow such procedures, as long as they are in line with their constitutions.
“If their party guidelines or constitution provide for that process, then they are free to follow it. INEC’s role is simply to observe,” he said.
APC Yet to Release Final Results
Sources within the APC say the party’s final list of candidates could be released at any moment, as reports from state primaries have already been submitted to the national secretariat.
The delay, however, is linked to controversies and allegations of irregularities in several states, where some aspirants have rejected the results announced by local committees.
A party insider revealed that appeal committees have submitted their reports, which are currently being reviewed.
“The reports are being evaluated, and once that is done, the NWC will meet and announce the final list. It could even be ready as early as Monday,” the source said.
Disagreements have been reported in states such as Nasarawa, Bauchi, Kwara, Oyo, Delta, and Kogi. Some aggrieved aspirants, including former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, have already left the party, citing irregularities.
Similarly, a former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, who participated in the Nasarawa governorship primary, also alleged irregularities and has dumped the party.
To manage the situation, the APC leadership is relying on provisions in its constitution, which require that all primary election results be forwarded to the NWC for ratification after appeals have been resolved.
ADC Approves Most Results, Awaits Pending Appeals
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced that its National Executive Committee (NEC) has approved the results of most of its primaries, covering state assemblies, the National Assembly, governorship, and presidential elections.
However, results in areas where appeals are still pending or where primaries have not been concluded remain undecided.
There were reported issues in states such as Ogun, Kano, Bauchi, Benue, and Adamawa, but party sources say most of the announced results are likely to stand.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that the list of governorship and senatorial candidates would be ready soon. He also disclosed that the NEC has extended the tenure of the party’s NWC, led by Senator David Mark, by 12 months.
NDC Disowns Circulating Results
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the public to disregard results circulating on social media, describing them as unofficial.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party said all results are currently with its National Executive Committee, which will make the final announcement.
The party has scheduled meetings in Abuja to conclude deliberations, after which the official list of candidates will be submitted to INEC.
Meanwhile, the primaries have attracted criticism, with activist Aisha Yesufu alleging manipulation in the process for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senate seat.
PDP, APGA Also Face Challenges
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said its candidate list would be ready after ongoing consultations. Its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, assured that there would be no unnecessary delay.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is also dealing with internal disputes, following protests by aggrieved aspirants and party members over alleged irregularities.
In Anambra State, protesters from Oyi and Awka North constituencies accused party officials of replacing duly elected delegates, leading to the emergence of candidates they claim were not the popular choice.
The party has yet to clearly state its position on the matter.
As parties work to resolve disputes and finalize their lists, attention now turns to how quickly they can meet INEC requirements ahead of the general elections.
