APC elders allege plot to impose senatorial candidate in Adamawa Central

A coalition of APC figures has accused party leaders in Adamawa Central of attempting to impose a senatorial candidate after the scheduled primary on Monday failed to take place.

The group, called Central Senatorial Zone APC Elders, has informed President Bola Tinubu of a supposed scheme by state party officials to delay the primary and groom a preferred aspirant for the senatorial seat.

Earlier, the state APC chapter issued a statement postponing the primary in the Central Zone, citing logistical reasons. The statement, signed by state APC Publicity Secretary Victor Dogo, has been met with skepticism by many observers.

The elders allege that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who heads the party in Adamawa, is pushing to impose the incumbent Senator Aminu Iya Abbas as the candidate. Abbas has long been seen as a governor aspirant rather than a returnee to the Senate.

At a press conference in Yola on Tuesday, the group’s spokesman, Alhaji Mohammed Song, said, “Senator Iya Abbas was contesting for governor. He toured all the local government areas, but after screening of aspirants, we learned that Abbas is now contesting for Senate, how?”

Song added that after noting that Yola North LGA, the heart of the capital, has never produced a senator in the current democratic dispensation and had endorsed Alhaji Aliyu Abbati from the LGA, the elders observed a plot to derail the prospects.

“Abbati is the only aspirant who visits all seven local government areas of Central Adamawa; we have not seen any other aspirant coming to us claiming he is contesting,” he said.

Song urged President Tinubu to intervene promptly, citing earlier claims of imposition and warning that alleged underhand dealings by some party leaders could damage the party’s and the President’s prospects in the upcoming general elections in the state.

In response, Governor Fintiri has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the primary process so far has been largely credible. “The few hitches have been due to human error, which is normal. I believe we have delivered a credible process,” he said.