Delays Disrupt APC House of Representatives Primaries in Plateau State
Several wards in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State experienced unrest on Saturday due to significant delays in the commencement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries. Party members and supporters, who had arrived early at various designated centers, were left stranded for hours as essential election materials and party officials failed to appear.
Concerns Among Party Members Rise
A survey of local polling areas revealed that many centers remained either deserted or unopened early in the morning, causing growing anxiety among party members eager to participate in the electoral process. Supporters at St. Teresa Primary School in the Vandapwe district gathered in small groups, discussing the ongoing delays while awaiting direction from party leaders.
Heightened Anxiety at Voting Venues
By 11:25 a.m., election materials and personnel were still conspicuously absent from the venue, intensifying concerns among lawmakers who had arrived to certify and engage in the primaries. A similar situation unfolded in the Horche area of Jos South Local Government, where the designated polling venue reportedly remained locked as late as 12:10 p.m., with anxious prospective participants waiting for updates nearby.
Party Consultations Underway Amid Delays
Inside sources shared that some candidates and stakeholders were actively engaged in consultations aimed at addressing the myriad issues surrounding the conduct of primaries in various wards. A party leader, speaking privately to Business Day, indicated that discussions were ongoing in certain regions, pushing for consensus among candidates, a development likely contributing to the observed delays in multiple districts.
Similar Delays Across Plateau State
Business Day noted that delays were not confined to Jos North; other parts of Plateau State experienced similar issues, with party members and supporters also left waiting for hours due to the tardiness of party officials and election materials for the APC primaries.
Official Response to the Situation
When reached for comment shortly after 1 p.m., Umana Bako, the APC Public Relations Secretary for Plateau State, informed Business Day via text message that returning police officers had been deployed to their respective local governments in preparation for the start of the primaries. Bako reassured party members that the electoral process was underway, expressing optimism that once officials arrived at the designated centers, the exercise would proceed smoothly across the state.
