The recent primaries conducted by the All Progressives Congress,APC, in Taraba State have sparked widespread controversy, with allegations of manipulation, irregularities, and internal divisions threatening to deepen tensions within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

What was expected to be a democratic exercise to select candidates for elective positions descended into confusion and accusations of fraud, as aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders have continued to question the credibility of the process.

Several aspirants alleged that the primaries lacked transparency and were characterized by procedural inconsistencies, including the late arrival of electoral materials, disputed voting processes, and claims of predetermined outcomes.

One of the strongest criticisms came from governorship aspirant, David Sabo Kente, who alleged that no genuine House of Representatives primaries took place in several parts of the state.

According to him, electoral materials reportedly arrived late in some locations, while results had already emerged before voting processes could properly commence.

Kente claimed that election materials were distributed overnight even as social media videos purportedly showed completed voting exercises, raising questions about the integrity of the exercise.

The allegations have fueled suspicions among party members that the outcomes of the primaries may have been predetermined long before delegates and party members cast their votes.

However, the APC leadership in Taraba has dismissed the claims, insisting that the primaries were successfully conducted across the state. Party spokesperson, Aaron Artimas, described the allegations as “false and misleading,” maintaining that due process was followed.

Despite the official response, critics within the party argued that concerns over transparency were not adequately addressed. Some stakeholders accused party officials of relying on political intimidation and dismissing aggrieved aspirants as “bad losers” rather than responding directly to procedural complaints.

The controversy surrounding the primaries has also intensified fears of possible litigation, especially over alleged attempts to impose candidates through consensus arrangements.

Under Nigeria’s electoral guidelines, consensus candidacy requires the voluntary written consent of all cleared aspirants. However, reports from within the party suggested that some aspirants felt pressured to step down, while others accused party leaders of selectively applying the rules to favor preferred candidates.

Political observers say the situation has exposed deeper contradictions within the party, particularly between the APC’s public commitment to “internal democracy” and allegations of backdoor political negotiations.

Tensions within the party reportedly escalated further following the political realignment involving Governor Agbu Kefas, whose movement into the APC is believed to have altered the balance of power within the state chapter.

The development has reportedly generated resentment among long standing APC members, many of whom fear that the party structure is increasingly being controlled by newly aligned political interests.

Grassroots members have also expressed dissatisfaction over what they describe as the growing influence of elite negotiations over popular participation within the party.

Although the APC adopted direct primaries in an attempt to ease internal tensions and broaden participation, the process instead generated further controversy, with complaints over membership verification, logistical challenges, and monitoring procedures.

Political analysts note that the controversy reflects broader concerns about the conduct of party primaries in Nigeria, where allegations of manipulation, elite interference, and disputed results have become recurring issues across major political parties.

The APC in Taraba now faces growing concerns over party cohesion as reports of dissatisfaction and possible defections continue to emerge following the disputed primaries.

Observers warn that unresolved grievances could weaken the party ahead of future elections, especially as opposition parties seek to capitalize on internal divisions.

Many party supporters have also expressed concern that repeated controversies surrounding party primaries risk deepening public distrust in the democratic process.

As senatorial primaries continue across the state on Monday, political observers are closely monitoring developments to see whether similar controversies will emerge in the next phase of the APC’s internal elections.