APC Guber Aspirant Alleges Exclusion From Adamawa Primary, Seeks Fresh Election

By Yagana Ali Yola.

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Salihu Bakari, has raised concerns over what he described as his unexplained exclusion from the party’s governorship primary election held on May 21, 2026.

Bakari, in a press conference by his media aide, Macoulay Hunohashi, said he was shocked to discover that his name was missing from the final list of cleared aspirants released for the conduct of the primary election despite having successfully completed the party’s screening process

The aspirant explained that he had duly purchased the APC governorship nomination form and participated in all procedures required by the party ahead of the primary election

According to him, he honoured the invitation of the screening committee and took part in the screening exercise in line with the party’s constitutional guidelines and internal democratic procedures.

Bakari stated that at no point during or after the screening exercise was he informed of any disqualification, adverse report, or decision questioning his eligibility to contest.

He further noted that he was never invited before the post-screening appeal committee, stressing that there was nothing to suggest that he had been disqualified from the race.

The APC aspirant described the situation as disturbing, particularly because some aspirants who failed to meet the screening requirements were officially listed as “Not Cleared,” while his own name was completely omitted from the published list without explanation.

He argued that the development raises serious questions about fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity within the party’s internal electoral process.

Bakari maintained that the omission effectively denied him the opportunity to participate in the governorship primary election and described the action as a violation of democratic principles, party guidelines, electoral laws, and provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

“In my own case, my name does not appear at all despite having undergone and successfully completed the screening process,” he lamented.

The governorship aspirant appealed to the National Chairman of the APC through the Adamawa State APC Appeal Committee to urgently intervene in the matter by reviewing the circumstances surrounding his omission.

He also called for the restoration of his name on a revised list of cleared aspirants and requested the conduct of a fresh governorship primary election to enable him participate fairly in the contest.

Despite the controversy, Bakari reaffirmed his loyalty and commitment to the ideals and unity of the APC, expressing confidence that the leadership of the party would ensure justice and adherence to due process.

The statement has since generated discussions within political circles in Adamawa State, with observers closely watching how the party leadership responds to the allegations ahead of the 2027 general elections.