An aspirant for the National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Umar Duhu, has written the party’s national leadership, alleging refusal to issue nomination forms and other irregularities.
In a letter addressed to the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the aspirant expressed grave concern that the party is flagrantly violating its own Constitution and the Nigerian Constitution by subverting democratic processes.
Duhu, a founding member and pioneer National Vice Chairman (North-East) of APC noted that certain individuals have unlawfully usurped party mechanisms, breaching Sections 221 and 222 of the Nigerian Constitution and Articles 9, 10, and 13 of the APC Constitution.
“My presence at the APC National Secretariat (40 Blantyre Street, Abuja) confirmed that some outgoing National Working Committee (NWC) has directed staff at the National Secretariat to withhold Nomination Forms from aspirants who lawfully paid for them ahead of the 27–28 March 2026 National Convention.
“Citing the absent National Financial Secretary’s required “confirmation” is a mala fide pretext violating APC’s Constitutional duty to facilitate transparent elections (APC Constitution, Article 13).
“There is no place under our laws where some folks should be judges in his own case. This directive is an affront to Natural justice.I have been also reliably information at the National Secretariat yesterday that Comrade Mustapha Salihu had issued directive forbidding issuance of North-East forms without his approval.
“This ultra vires act contravenes APC’s commitment to internal democracy (Section 222, Nigerian Constitution) and amounts to actionable disenfranchisement,” the letter reads in parts.
He requested the party to allow him to take and complete his nomination form for the position of National Vice Chairman, North East; undergo screening and contest for the said position in accordance with the APC Constitution and electoral guidelines.
“Where these fails, people may pursue: (1) Public disclosure of these Constitutional breaches, or (2) Judicial process to nullify proceedings non-compliant with APC’s Constitution and Nigerian Law. Our Party risks legitimizing PDP-like implosion if impunity by some opportunistic few persists unchecked.
“National Chairman sir, it’s time to assert leadership: declare that all who paid for nomination forms receive them Monday. Allowing officers overstep their bounds undermines APC’s democratic core.APC must uphold its Constitution, Reform or we will ultimately face Legal Ruin,” the letter added.
In another letter addressed to the APC National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, the aspirant alleged that there were grave irregularities and constitutional breaches surrounding the Adamawa State APC National Vice Chairmanship slot.
Duhu said consensus demands stakeholder engagement and its absence necessitates recourse to democratic processes, noting that it neither was observed for the said position as contestants were sidelined and leaders imposed their will without consultation.
According to him, “selling multiple forms to those you desire and denying others who paid, contravenes Section 222 of the Constitution and APC Article 13 and smells selective justice. Why are some privileged while others are excluded?
“Mal. Nuhu Ribadu a seasoned Public Officer, would definitely uphold democratic principles, not endorse unilateral actions. His silence this far suggests non-involvement, implying the NWC acted without his authority.
“Earlier on in Yola, Comrade Mustapha Salihu bypassed due process in foisting an unelected Idris as State Chairman, undermining party democracy. This backdoor maneuver contradicts APC’s ethos and disenfranchises legitimate contestants.
“Sir, the totality of these acts violates Sections 221-222 of the Nigerian Constitution and APC Articles 9, 10, 13. As founding member and pioneer National Vice Chairman North-East, I reject this usurpation and will not accept certain individuals to unlawfully usurped party mechanisms, breaching Sections 221 and 222 of the Nigerian Constitution and Articles 9, 10, and 13 of the APC Constitution.
“In this regard, if forms are not issued to me and all those deserving by Monday, March 23, 2026, APC’s Zonal / National Conventions will immediately risk collapse. And as the ruling party, this would prove disastrous.”
