Thugs disrupt APC primary in Jos South, Plateau State

By Golok Nanmwa

Jos – On Saturday evening, the APC direct primary for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency was disrupted by alleged thugs who interfered with vote counting at RCM Primary School in Zarmaganda, Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State.

The disturbance began after electoral officials started a recount following a dispute between supporters of the two top candidates, former House of Representatives member Dachung Baggos and Hon. Esther Dung.

According to party sources, the recount started with the tally for Dachung Baggos, who had 570 votes, and another aspirant, Arum, who had 66 votes.

Problems escalated when officials began counting votes for Esther Dung; alleged thugs entered the venue and demanded that the counting cease.

APC official Nandom Paul said a minor confrontation arose at the collation centre after Baggos’ supporters rejected the initial declaration of Esther Dung as winner and called for a recount. Dung’s supporters opposed the recount, claiming that many voters—particularly women—had already been accredited, voted, and departed.

“The electoral officer appealed for calm and assured both camps of transparency,” Paul said.

Despite the appeal, the factions failed to reach a settlement. The situation worsened when thugs appeared, disrupting the counting and forcing all present, including electoral officials, to flee for safety.

Security agents subsequently intervened and evacuated the electoral officials.

The incident occurred while the APC was holding primaries nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a related development, at Zawan A Ward in the same local government area, Esther Bitrus won a separate primary for the same constituency.

Bitrus received 316 votes, defeating Dachung Baggos who had 130 votes, while Ajiji received 2 votes out of 448 cast.

Process monitor Jude Dalyop described the Zawan A Ward primary as free and fair, noting that agents from all aspirants were present and actively involved.

The APC is expected to collate and publish the final results for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency once voting concludes in all wards.

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