Today marks the end of democracy in Nigeria – Dan Maje rejects APC house of reps primaries
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and House of Representatives aspirant for Yola North, Yola South and Girei Federal Constituency, Ahmadu Hamman Nasara, popularly known as Dan Maje Adamawa has delivered a scathing criticism of the conduct of the party’s primary election in Adamawa State, declaring that recent developments within the APC signal “the end of democracy in Nigeria.”
Dan Maje made the remarks during an emotional interview shortly after the controversial APC House of Representatives primaries held on Saturday, where aggrieved aspirants and supporters accused party officials of manipulating the process in favour of preferred candidates.
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The visibly frustrated aspirant alleged that the outcome of the primaries had been predetermined long before delegates and supporters arrived at the venue, claiming that the entire exercise was a betrayal of democratic principles and the wishes of party members.
“Today is the end of democracy in the history of Nigeria. Election is the backbone of any democracy. Without election, democracy cannot thrive. What happened today shows clearly that the voices of ordinary party members no longer matter,” he said.
Dan Maje lamented that supporters who turned out in large numbers to participate in the process were denied the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights despite the presence of security agencies, journalists and other observers.
According to him, the situation exposed what he described as the growing influence of powerful political interests over internal party affairs.
“We have seen supporters come out to express their rights and duties as Nigerians and as party members, but unfortunately they were denied. Everybody witnessed it, security agencies, the media and even party stakeholders,” he said.
The APC aspirant further alleged that party leaders and government interests had taken over the political structure of the party, insisting that the process was designed to favour a select group rather than reflect the will of the grassroots.
“Government has physically taken over politics. The structure that has been laid down is not for the masses to choose their leaders. It is for certain interests,” he alleged.
Dan Maje claimed he had access to information suggesting that the primary election results had already been prepared before the exercise commenced.
According to him, videos and other evidence allegedly showed fabricated results being allocated to candidates in different wards and local government areas within Adamawa State.
“Before today, the results were already circulating on the internet, and the same results were later transmitted. Virtually, the election had already been conducted somewhere else.
“I can show videos where results were fabricated openly, including allocations of votes and names of wards and local governments,” he said.
The aspirant also accused the party of violating several provisions of the Electoral Act and internal APC guidelines in the conduct of the primaries.
He alleged that members of the election committee remained stationed at the party secretariat without interacting with aspirants or delegates as expected in a transparent process.
“The committee members did not move around or interface with the aspirants and delegates. They stayed in one place because they already knew what had been arranged,” he alleged.
Dan Maje also questioned the transparency of the APC’s handling of nomination forms, alleging that the party generated huge sums of money from aspirants without adequately organizing a credible process.
“This great party collected billions from aspirants through the sale of forms, yet the process lacked transparency and organization,” he said.
Despite his grievances, the APC stalwart said he would not pursue legal action against the party, arguing that internal party agreements signed by aspirants had effectively weakened their chances of seeking judicial redress.
“As a party member, there are documents we signed that make legal action difficult. We leave everything in the hands of God,” he stated.
On whether he planned to defect from the APC following the controversial exercise, Dan Maje said he would remain in the party for now due to legal and political considerations, although he hinted at possible political realignments after the elections.
“There must be realignment and reconsideration after the elections. Many things will happen,” he said.
He, however, admitted that his loyalty to the party had been severely shaken.
“I can only remain loyal to myself because the party has not been loyal to us,” he added.
