Members of the APC Elders Forum in Adamawa Central Senatorial Zone have cautioned the ruling party against ignoring complaints surrounding the emergence of its senatorial candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Yola on Thursday, the forum said failure to address the issue could weaken support for the party in Adamawa State and create challenges for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The group, through its spokesperson Mohammed Jimeta, argued that political parties often face setbacks when the wishes of party members and voters are overlooked. According to him, past political events in the state have shown that voters can reject candidates they believe were imposed on them.
The elders questioned how Mustapha Salihu emerged as the APC senatorial candidate for Adamawa Central, insisting that he participated in the governorship primary rather than the senatorial contest. They maintained that Abdulraheem Abbati was the aspirant who contested for the Senate seat and should therefore be recognised as the rightful candidate.
The forum said fairness and justice demand that the ticket be given to the individual who took part in the senatorial primary. Members of the group expressed concern that any attempt to deny Abbati the ticket could deepen divisions within the party.
They also raised concerns about what they described as unequal political opportunities within the zone. According to the elders, several local government areas have produced senators in the past, while Yola North has yet to occupy the position. They argued that giving the ticket to another candidate from an area that has already produced a senator could create resentment among party supporters.
The group further appealed to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to intervene and help resolve the dispute before it escalates. They warned that leaving the matter unsettled could affect the APC’s performance in future elections and reduce support for both the party’s governorship candidate and President Tinubu in the state.
The elders also pointed to Abbati’s contributions to the party during previous elections, noting that he played a role in the APC’s campaign efforts in Adamawa. They maintained that his commitment to the party should be taken into consideration as leaders work to settle the dispute.
The forum urged the APC leadership to act quickly and ensure that party decisions are guided by fairness, unity and respect for the outcome of the primary process in order to avoid internal divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections. :::