Some women leaders in Plateau have rejected the conduct of the All Progressives Congress primaries, calling for cancellation and re-run of the elections.
Some of the women who spoke on Wednesday in Jos, alleged that there were many irregularities.
Esther Bitrus, an aspirant vying for House of Representatives seat from Jos South and Jos East federal constituency on the platform of APC, said her agents were beaten in several wards across the constituency.
Ms Bitrus also alledged that in some wards, result sheets were stolen and manipulated.
“In Bukuru, they beat up my agents. One is currently hospitalised, and then they ran away with the result sheet and manipulated the figures,” said Ms Bitrus.
She called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the APC national leadership to cancel affected wards and allow re-run elections, claiming there were huge disruptions in most wards.
Fatimah Suleiman, an APC woman leader, said that most party offices failed to provide ballot boxes, making voting impossible.
Ms Suleiman described the process as unfair, influenced by personal biases rather than objective rules. She also alledged widespread intimidation, manipulation, and exclusion of aspirants during voting.
“Women are calling for cancellation in affected wards because this is discouraging and unfair,” she said.
Blessing Nyongo, an APC member, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the exercise.
According to Ms Nyongo, the process was characterised by intimidation, manipulation, and a lack of inclusiveness that contradicts the true spirit of democracy and party unity.
She warned that these actions could hurt people of the grassroots’ confidence and would affect party unity, also urging for a rerun in affected wards.
Factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Bala Gombe, has reacted to the court judgement that sacked David Mark's faction of the party and nullified Atiku Abubakar's candidacy for the 2027 presidential election.
Gombe commended the Federal High Court and the trial judge for what he described as the independent, impartial and intellectually rigorous manner in which the matter was handled and determined.
He said his commendation, as a citizen and stakeholder in the nation's democracy, was that of someone who recognised that when a court speaks with clarity, courage and fidelity to the law, the public must also respond with gratitude.
"By every measure, this was a politically sensitive, highly charged and nationally watched dispute. It touched on party autonomy, internal democracy, constitutional supremacy within political associations, and the proper role of the Independent National Electoral Commission as regulator," Gombe said in a statement reacting to the judgement.
"It is precisely in such cases that judicial independence is most tested, and most needed.
"By subjecting the question of leadership emergence to constitutional and statutory scrutiny, rather than to political expediency, His Lordship affirmed a foundational principle of Nigerian jurisprudence as provided in Sections 1, 6, 228 and 223(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: political parties are not above their own constitutions, and the Electoral Act is not a mere suggestion.
"Where a party's constitution prescribes a procedure for succession and leadership must be obeyed. Where a political party fails to comply with the rules, procedures, and constitutional provisions laid down for its own governance, the court is duty-bound to intervene in order to safeguard democracy, uphold the rule of law, and prevent anarchy, as no man is above the law, and no man is below it.
"This commendation is not merely about one litigant succeeding and another losing. It is about what the judgement represents for Nigerians and for the African Democratic Congress:
"It restores public confidence that a judge can still decide on the law and the facts alone, uninfluenced by political pressure, media commentary, or the weight of personalities involved in the suit.
"It affirms that leadership must emerge through lawful process, not through imposition, and that aggrieved members have a legitimate right to seek redress in court rather than resort to self-help.
"It reassures ordinary Nigerians that the court remains the last hope of the common man, and indeed, of every man.
"As the Supreme Court has repeatedly held, 'justice must not only be done, but must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.' His Lordship's conduct in this suit embodies that principle.
"I therefore respectfully commend His Lordship for upholding the independence of the judiciary and the sanctity of the judicial oath to do right to all manner of people without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; demonstrating patience, erudition, and firmness in a matter of immense political sensitivity; and delivering a judgement that strengthens the rule of law, party discipline, and constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
"May His Lordship's example continue to inspire the Bench and the Bar, and may the Federal High Court continue to stand as a bastion of impartial justice.
"I also wish to place on record my profound commendation to our team of lawyers for their exceptional diligence, intellectual rigour, and unwavering commitment to the cause of justice. Their professionalism, perseverance, and fidelity to the rule of law were instrumental in ensuring that justice was not only sought, but seen to be done.
"I further extend my heartfelt gratitude to our teeming supporters across the length and breadth of this country for their steadfastness, loyalty, and fervent prayers throughout this process. Your faith and solidarity have been a source of immense strength and encouragement."