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ABUJA – The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been called to investigate and review the outcome of the party’s House of Assembly primary election in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Calling on the party leadership on Thursday in Abuja, the Nigeria Youths in Politics Organization (NYPO), alleged widespread irregularities and manipulation of the electoral process.
Addressing journalists at a press conference, the National Chairman of the organization, Hon. Felix Tolorunju, expressed concern over what it described as disturbing developments arising from the recent party primaries conducted across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While commending political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting credible primaries in some areas, the organization condemned reported cases of candidate imposition, ballot snatching, manipulation of results, violence, and the use of thugs during the selection process.
The group said it was particularly troubled by events surrounding the APC House of Assembly primary in Aniocha South, where it alleged that the mandate of one of the aspirants, Hon. Igbiki Cyril Chiedozie, was unfairly taken away despite enjoying overwhelming support from party members.
According to the organization, reports from the primary election indicated that party faithful voted massively in favour of Igbiki, rejecting the incumbent lawmaker representing Aniocha South in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Isaac Ozoro Anwuzia.
The youth group alleged that following the voting process, thugs were deployed to disrupt the collation of results, forcing election officials and security personnel to relocate the collation exercise from Ogwashi-Uku, the local government headquarters, to Asaba for its completion.
It further claimed that despite the outcome of the votes, it took nearly 48 hours before a winner was eventually announced, raising questions about the transparency of the process.
The organization alleged that party agents and election officials initially resisted signing the final result because figures from the various wards reportedly showed that Igbiki had emerged victorious. However, it claimed that their objections were ignored and Anwuzia was eventually declared the winner.
The group also alleged the involvement of influential political figures in the controversy, claiming that former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, backed the emergence of preferred candidates in several contests across the state, including the Aniocha South primary.
It further alleged that the former governor had secured nominations for members of his family and close associates in different elective positions, a development it described as contrary to the principles of internal democracy.
Questioning what it called the growing influence of political godfatherism, the organization asked whether the APC should be treated as the personal property of any individual or family.
The group maintained that its intervention was motivated by a desire to protect the democratic rights of young politicians and ensure that popular mandates are respected.
“We will not stand aside while a fellow youth is being robbed and his rights trampled upon,” the organization stated, insisting that the mandate allegedly given to Igbiki by party members must be restored.
The group warned that failure by the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) to address the matter could have electoral consequences for the party in Aniocha South during the 2027 general elections.
It stressed that democracy must not be undermined through intimidation, manipulation, or violence, particularly at a time when more young Nigerians are seeking opportunities to participate in governance and leadership.
The organization also appealed to the national leadership of the APC, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and transparency within the party.
According to the group, the future of Aniocha South should be determined by the will of the people rather than political influence or intimidation, urging party leaders to ensure that justice is done in the interest of democracy and party unity.