APC Primaries Marred By Late Arrival Of Materials In Nasarawa

The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in Nasarawa State was on Saturday marred by the late arrival of materials and election personnel across several designated voting centres.

This came despite assurances by the party’s Primary Election Committee for the state, led by Mr Musa Mohammed Guri, that the exercise would be free, fair, and credible.

In Lafia, Keffi, Doma, Nasarawa Eggon, and Akwanga, voters were left stranded for hours as voting failed to commence until late in the afternoon.

In Keffi, the headquarters of Nasarawa West Senatorial District, distribution of materials did not begin until after 3:00 p.m.

Similarly, at St. Williams Primary School in Gayam Ward, Lafia Local Government Area, no officials were on the ground as of about 1:23 p.m. when a correspondent visited the area on Saturday.

Many voters who had earlier queued eventually abandoned their positions and sought shelter from the scorching afternoon sun.

Visibly angry youths from a rival camp were seen expressing dissatisfaction and openly criticising the party over the delay.

In Akwanga, long queues of voters were still observed as late as 4:00 p.m. in some areas.

Speaking earlier, the Primary Election Committee chairman had assured a level playing field for all aspirants.

He said the party’s national secretariat had provided registers for all 13 local government areas in the state to ensure smooth verification of eligible voters.

He called on all card-carrying members of the APC across the various federal constituencies to come out en masse and vote for candidates of their choice.

He also urged party members and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and orderly during the exercise.