APC defends substitution of candidates after primaries, denies law violations

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended its post-primary candidate substitutions, asserting that the process adheres to electoral laws and internal party procedures. Felix Morka, the party's National Publicity Secretary, stated that any aspirant declared a winner must have participated in the primary election.

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We received over 720 petitions from those who contested in that election. These petitions were reviewed by the appeal committees. Recommendations were made to the National Working Committee.

Morka addressed allegations of arbitrary replacements and awarding tickets to unqualified individuals during an interview. He revealed that the APC received over 720 petitions from aggrieved aspirants following the primaries. These petitions were reviewed by appeal committees, and their recommendations were further evaluated by the National Working Committee before any changes were made.

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And at the end of them, we made those changes that you are discussing. So these are legitimate outcomes of our primaries.

"These are legitimate outcomes of our primaries," Morka declared, emphasizing that the primary election is an ongoing process that includes dispute resolution. He argued that the appeal process is an integral part of the primaries, not a separate mechanism for mischief. He also denied knowledge of any cases where individuals who did not purchase nomination forms or participate in primaries were awarded tickets, inviting accusers to provide specific examples for investigation.

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Primary election is a process. It’s not an event. The appeal process is an integral part of the primary election process. It’s not a separate process, and it’s not a process invented by the party to cause mischief.

The APC spokesman acknowledged that some aspirants were naturally dissatisfied with the outcomes. He assured that the party took time to thoroughly review every petition, ensuring no case was dismissed without due consideration. The party has begun engaging with these aggrieved aspirants to reassure them of the process's transparency and to emphasize that not everyone can be a flag bearer.

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I’m not aware of any such case that you are alluding to about those who didn’t participate, who never bought forms, who were not screened, who didn’t participate in primaries, all of a sudden handed tickets.