A chairmanship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Aminu Abubakar, has petitioned the party’s Appeal Committee, challenging the process that produced the State Chairman at the recently concluded FCT Congress.

In a petition dated April 19 and addressed to the Chairman of the APC FCT Executives Congress Appeal Committee, Abubakar alleged that the emergence of the State Chairman under a purported consensus arrangement lacked transparency, consultation, and adherence to due process.

While acknowledging that the party’s national leadership encourages consensus as a mechanism to avoid conflict, the aspirant argued that such arrangements must comply with democratic principles and the APC constitution.

He stated that all aspirants, including himself, were initially engaged in consultations towards a consensus candidate, adding that he actively campaigned for over two months in line with party guidelines.

However, Abubakar claimed that the process was abruptly altered when one aspirant was declared the consensus candidate without prior consultation with other contenders.

“At no time was I invited to any meeting, informed of the criteria for selection, or given the opportunity to accept or reject any consensus proposal,” he said.

He maintained that a valid consensus candidate can only emerge through mutual agreement among all aspirants, stressing that any arrangement imposed without such consent is invalid.

The aspirant further alleged that he learnt of the outcome through unofficial channels, stating that party members informed him that the inauguration of the new leadership had already commenced.

Describing the process as a violation of internal party democracy, Abubakar cited breaches of the party’s constitution, denial of fair hearing, and what he termed arbitrary exercise of power.

He urged the Appeal Committee to nullify the emergence of the State Chairman, set aside the congress outcome as it relates to the position, and order a fresh process in line with party rules.

In the alternative, he called for a transparent and inclusive consensus process involving all aspirants and based on mutual agreement.

Abubakar said his petition was driven not only by personal concerns but by a commitment to fairness, rule of law, and the long-term stability of the party.

The petition was copied to key APC officials, including the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, National Legal Adviser, and the Zonal Vice Chairman (North Central).

As of the time of filing this report, the party had not issued an official response to the allegations. (By PRNigeria)

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