‘Controversial APC primaries, Internal Compromise, responsible for massive exit  in  Nasarawa — Otaru 

The Former Nasarawa Publicity Secretary and Chairman, Conference of APC State Publicity Secretaries (CAPs), Otaru Douglas, has said the alleged internal democracy compromise in APC and controversy surrounding the primary election of the party among other issues, are responsible for the recent massive exit of stakeholders from the ruling All Progressives Congress APC in Nasarawa state as a result of

Otaru Douglas who made this known in an interview with The Nations News correspondent, Abel Zwanke, tasked the  party leadership to take action to avert deep crisis ahead of 2027 general election among other issues, except:

There have been reports of mass defections from the APC in Nasarawa State. What is responsible for this development?

Over the past week, we have witnessed the burning of APC brooms in Lafia and several local government areas. 

Foundation members and stakeholders have been defecting to other political parties because of the injustices and manipulation that characterized the recently conducted primary election. 

That exercise negated democratic principles and violated the guidelines established by the National Working Committee of the party.

The wave of resignations does not exclude me. I am not a bystander in the affairs of the APC. 

I was part of the nucleus of the party from its foundation and served as State Publicity Secretary, among other responsibilities.

What is happening today did not come as a surprise to some of us because we saw the warning signs long ago.

You said you saw the crisis coming. What exactly were the warning signs?

The ugly events began during the e-membership registration exercise and continued through the ward and local government congresses. 

Those processes were hijacked by what I describe as the overlords of the party.

Under the watch of the Governor, who is expected to be the leader of the party in the state, the process was abused. 

That abuse laid the foundation for the crisis we are witnessing today.

As a critical stakeholder, I raised concerns through several press statements and petitions to the party leadership. Unfortunately, those warnings were ignored.

Are you suggesting that your criticism of the party leadership led to your removal from office?

Absolutely. I was vindictively removed because of my critical stance against what I considered the cruelty of the State Chairman and his disregard for stakeholders. 

I believe there was a deliberate effort to manipulate the process in favour of Senator Ahmed Wadada, who is widely known to be a childhood friend of the State Chairman.

Instead of addressing the issues I raised, those in authority chose to silence dissenting voices.

What do you think will happen if the current situation is not addressed?

In the coming days, the party should expect more resignations and defections if the President and the National Working Committee fail to intervene urgently. 

The APC in Nasarawa is facing a serious internal challenge arising from what many members perceive as high-handedness and insensitivity on the part of Governor Abdullahi Sule and the State Chairman, Dr. Aliyu Bello.

Some party leaders claim that the defections are being sponsored by influential political figures. Do you agree?

No, I do not. Those insinuations only worsen the situation. One fact remains clear: members are leaving because they are dissatisfied with the abuse of the electoral process and what they see as the commercialization of party affairs.

The decision to resign was not forced on anyone. These are independent decisions taken by people who have become frustrated with the way the party is being run.

You have repeatedly mentioned the conduct of the primary election. What were your major concerns?

One of the biggest issues was the undue disqualification of aspirants. Individuals who paid millions of naira for nomination forms from their hard-earned resources were eventually disenfranchised through questionable processes. 

Some of them were screened and certified as qualified, only to be disqualified later without convincing explanations.

To me, that is not only unfair but also morally indefensible. When a party advertises forms, collects money, screens aspirants and clears them, only to disqualify them through controversial processes, 

It creates the impression of a deliberate scheme against party members.

The situation becomes even more troubling when those affected are not refunded and are denied adequate explanations.

What impact could such actions have on the party’s electoral fortunes?

The consequences are enormous. Those aspirants and stakeholders are the people who mobilize support at the ward and polling unit levels.

 Alienating them weakens the party’s grassroots structures and could ultimately affect the President’s chances of securing substantial votes in Nasarawa State during the general election.

Reports from across the 13 local government areas indicate widespread concerns about the credibility of the primary process, including allegations that outcomes were predetermined to serve narrow interests.

You also criticized the leadership style of some party officials. What exactly do you mean?

Unfortunately, the APC in Nasarawa has become an opposition party to itself.

 Rather than promoting unity and reconciliation, some leaders make statements that deepen divisions.

Comments such as “go to the lagoon and perish,” reportedly credited to Governor Abdullahi Sule, and statements attributed to the State Chairman suggesting that dissatisfied members should leave the party because they are a minority, have not helped matters. 

Similar remarks from the party’s preferred candidate have also contributed to the growing discontent.

“At a time when the leadership should be mending fences and resolving grievances, some public statements have only aggravated tensions and accelerated the wave of resignations.”

What is your assessment of the national leadership’s response so far?

Frankly, the National Chairman and the Presidency appear too relaxed about developments in Nasarawa State.

Meanwhile, events on the ground suggest that the party is gradually undermining its own prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC in Nasarawa is on a dangerous path if urgent corrective measures are not taken.

What specific steps should the party take to restore confidence among members?

First, the National Working Committee should immediately investigate the allegations surrounding the primaries and conduct a thorough audit of the process.

Second, there must be transparency and accountability regarding funds collected from aspirants who purchased nomination forms. 

Those who were disqualified should be given fair hearings, clear reasons for their disqualification and, where necessary, refunds.

Third, the party must return to its founding principles of inclusivity, fairness and due process. 

Intimidation should give way to dialogue, while genuine efforts should be made to reconcile aggrieved members and encourage them to return.

What is your final message to the APC leadership?

My message is simple. The strength of the APC lies in internal democracy and its ability to reflect the will of its members. 

If those principles are abandoned in Nasarawa State, the party risks losing both the confidence of its members and the trust of the electorate ahead of 2027.

“I therefore call on Mr. President, the National Chairman and members of the National Working Committee to act swiftly. 

This is a critical moment. A party at war with itself cannot successfully confront the opposition.