Officials who conducted the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primary election for the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in Plateau State have alleged attempts by some political actors to induce and intimidate them into discrediting the outcome of the exercise.
The officials, comprising Ward Presiding Officers, Local Government Collation Officers and the Federal Constituency Collation/Returning Officer, made the allegation on Tuesday during a press conference in Jos.
Speaking on behalf of the officials, the Amper- Chika Ba Ward, Kanke LGC Returning Officer, Chinwatda Tapar, said they were appointed by the APC National Secretariat through the committee constituted for the conduct of the 2026 National Assembly primary elections in Plateau State, chaired by Hon. Stella Okotete.
He said the May 16, 2026 primary election was conducted peacefully, transparently and in strict compliance with the party’s constitution and guidelines, culminating in the declaration of the winner at the end of the exercise.
According to him, following the primary election, some members of the electoral team were allegedly approached by individuals seeking their cooperation in challenging the outcome of the poll.
Tapar alleged that Hon. Dr. Tongshinen and Hon. Alice Dimlong contacted some of the officers and urged them to sign affidavits that were inconsistent with the facts surrounding the conduct of the election.
He further alleged that some of the officers were promised political appointments through the Plateau State Government and offered monetary inducements, while others were allegedly subjected to pressure and intimidation in a bid to secure their cooperation.
“We categorically reject these approaches because they are inconsistent with the facts we witnessed during the conduct of the primary election. Our duty was to conduct a free, fair and credible election, not to become instruments in any post-election effort aimed at distorting the truth,” he said.
The officials said they had preserved information relating to the alleged approaches and would present such evidence to law enforcement agencies, the APC or any court of competent jurisdiction whenever required.
They maintained that any grievance arising from the primary election should be pursued through lawful and democratic channels, adding that their responsibility ended with the successful conduct of the election and the declaration of the result.
The officials urged party members and stakeholders to respect due process and allow any dispute over the primary election to be resolved through the appropriate legal and institutional mechanisms.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to truth, fairness, due process and the integrity of the APC’s internal democratic process.
