A wave of discontent has swept through the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State as party aspirants from the southern zone took to the streets to voice their opposition to what they call the imposition of a House of Representatives candidate. The protest unfolded in Numan, where dozens of aspirants, party faithful, and backers assembled at the APC Zonal Secretariat, brandishing placards that read “No to Imposition,” “Allow Free Primaries,” and “Let the People Decide.”
The frustrated aspirants claimed their action was triggered by reports that Kwamoti Laori had been “selected” as the party’s candidate for the Demsa/Numan/Lamurde constituency without any meaningful consultation or a primary election. They stressed that their grievance is not personal against Laori but directed at a process that tramples on the aspirations of others and disregards the will of grassroots party members.
Among those who had set their sights on the APC ticket for this federal constituency is Vrati Nzonzo, a former council chairman. Just a day before the controversial primary, Nzonzo had spearheaded a forum of aspirants to caution the party against imposing anyone under the guise of consensus. He has been vocally critical of Saturday’s primary, labeling it a predetermined affair that undermines democratic principles.