“Imposition Will Cost You 2027” – Direct Primaries Are Adamawa APC’s Only Path to Peace, Dr. Duhu Warns

By Emmanuel Kwada 

The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is at a critical crossroads as the 2027 general elections draw near. Tensions surrounding the candidate selection process have raised concerns over possible imposition, which could fracture the party structure and undermine its chances of victory in the state.

In a strongly worded intervention, Dr. Umar D. Duhu, LLM, Ph.D, has warned that the only path to peace, stability, and electoral success for the Adamawa APC lies in conducting direct primaries in full compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.

Dr. Duhu argued that direct primaries represent the surest way to restore trust among party members, calm frayed nerves, and position the APC to mount a formidable challenge for the Adamawa governorship.

He urged the party to adhere strictly to Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on February 18, 2026.

The section explicitly states that the procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties shall be by direct primaries or consensus. This provision has effectively abolished the old delegate system, under which a small group of party officials held the power to decide flagbearers.

Under the new law, political parties have only two lawful options: direct primaries, where every registered party member votes on the principle of one member, one vote, or consensus, which requires all aspirants to voluntarily agree in writing to step down for a single candidate.

Should consensus fail, the party is mandated to fall back on direct primaries. Any attempt to revert to indirect primaries through delegates would violate the Act and expose the party to potential legal challenges.

Dr. Duhu emphasised that direct primaries would significantly curb money politics and the influence of godfatherism, which have long plagued the political process.

For years, accusations have persisted that tickets are awarded to the highest bidder or to candidates anointed from Abuja. Ethnic leaders in Adamawa have openly rejected what they describe as “Abuja-imposed” candidates, warning that sidelining the grassroots would only deepen divisions within the party.

With direct primaries, aspirants can no longer rely on purchasing the support of a limited number of delegates. Instead, success will depend on genuine grassroots mobilisation and broad acceptability among ordinary party members.

Dr. Duhu quoted one of the governorship aspirants, Salihu Bakari, who stated that the removal of indirect primaries would ensure that only candidates with authentic grassroots support emerge victorious. Bakari had previously noted that under the old system, financial strength often determined outcomes rather than popularity.

Legal analysts, according to Dr. Duhu, view the new provision as a deliberate move to eliminate the primary institutional mechanism that enabled monetised candidate selection. For the Adamawa APC, this shift promises a departure from cash-for-vote practices toward a more democratic and transparent process.

Furthermore, Dr. Duhu maintained that direct primaries would restore legitimacy to the candidate selection process and substantially reduce post-primary conflicts.

He pointed to the familiar pattern in which a small selection committee chooses a candidate, leading to aggrieved aspirants, defections, and a divided party heading into the general election.

Recent primary exercises in some states, including complaints of non-voting and premature announcement of results, have reinforced these concerns.

In contrast, direct primaries make the process open and verifiable. Voting occurs at ward level with results collated transparently at polling points, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is required to monitor the exercise.

When party members feel they have had a genuine say in the outcome, they are far more likely to accept the result and rally behind the winner.

Dr. Duhu noted that the demand for direct primaries is coming strongly from within the Adamawa APC. Various ethnic groups in the state have declared that direct primaries would give every party member a voice and ensure the emergence of the most popular and acceptable candidate. Several leading governorship aspirants — including Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, Hon. Ibrahim Tol, Abdulrahman Haske, and Hon. Salihu Bakari — have thrown their weight behind the call for primaries rather than imposed consensus.

Even former APC National Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu, indicated that his camp is prepared for either direct primaries or genuine consensus, but stressed that any form of imposition undermines democratic principles.

Dr. Duhu also referenced positive remarks by Governor Fintiri on the credibility of recent House of Representatives primaries in the state, noting that direct primaries would provide the mechanism to extend that transparency to the governorship and state assembly selections.

Looking ahead to 2027, Dr. Duhu described Adamawa as a key swing state where the APC cannot afford to field a candidate perceived as imposed.

A flagbearer who emerges through open competition would carry the goodwill necessary to unite various factions and present a cohesive front against the opposition.

The Electoral Act 2026 further strengthens the process by requiring parties to submit digital membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before primaries. This requirement is expected to minimise manipulation, reduce last-minute defections, and ensure that only genuine party members participate.

In conclusion, Dr. Umar D. Duhu asserted that peace and stability in the Adamawa APC will not be achieved through backroom deals or external directives, but by allowing every card-carrying member to have a say in the selection of the candidate. With consensus having repeatedly collapsed into allegations of imposition in the past, direct primaries stand as the clear and lawful path forward.

He warned that failure to embrace this democratic option could trigger another cycle of protests, defections, and eventual electoral defeat.

By contrast, a properly conducted direct primary would transform the Adamawa APC from a divided house into a united and winning coalition for the 2027 governorship election.