The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in Plateau State have concluded with a blend of tragic loss and significant political upsets, as a resident, Sani Abdullahi, was reportedly killed during protests in Mangu Local Government Area on Saturday. Simultaneously, the state’s political arena witnessed a major shift as Honourable Yusuf Gagdi, the incumbent Member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, failed in his bid to secure the party’s ticket for a third term.
Reports from Daily Trust indicate that the unfortunate incident in Mangu occurred amidst escalating protests sparked by delays in the conduct of the House of Representatives primary election. Witnesses confirmed that Mr. Abdullahi, a resident of the Kasuwan Ali community, was allegedly struck by a stray bullet after soldiers intervened to disperse a crowd of agitated youths at the election venue.
According to Ibrahim Sale, a resident who spoke to Daily Trust, tensions began to mount early on Saturday when electoral officials failed to arrive for the exercise, which was originally scheduled for the morning. “The exercise was supposed to hold on Saturday morning, but it didn’t take place because of the absence of returning officers. So the youths started protesting, alleging that the delay was deliberate,” Mr. Sale recounted. He further explained that attempts by government officials monitoring the process to leave the venue due to the protracted delay were met with resistance, as youths blocked the road in protest. “The youths insisted they would not leave until electoral officers arrived to conduct the primary. This drew the attention of security personnel, who moved in to disperse them,” he added. The situation reportedly escalated when some protesters allegedly retaliated by throwing stones at the security operatives. “The soldiers then started shooting, and a stray bullet hit the victim,” Mr. Sale painfully narrated. The incident plunged the venue into panic, with residents now demanding a thorough investigation into the killing and justice for the deceased.
This tragic development underscores the heightened political and security concerns in parts of Plateau State, an area that has unfortunately grappled with recurring communal violence and deadly attacks in recent times. The sanctity of primary elections, a crucial phase in Nigeria’s electoral cycle, is often tested by such incidents, raising questions about the safety and fairness of political processes across the nation.
Meanwhile, in a separate but equally significant outcome from the APC primaries, PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported the defeat of Honourable Yusuf Gagdi, who currently chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Navy. Mr. Gagdi’s aspirations for a third term representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency were dashed as he was overwhelmingly defeated by Dr. John Tongshinen. The direct primary election, conducted across the constituency, saw Dr. Tongshinen secure an impressive 29,968 votes, while the incumbent lawmaker garnered 5,849 votes.
The results for the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency were officially declared on Sunday in Pankshin by the APC returning officer, Monday Daspan. Mr. Daspan confirmed that the electoral exercise was diligently monitored by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and various security agencies, lending credibility to the process. “By the powers conferred on me as the chairman of this committee, I hereby declare Dr. John Tongshinen as the winner of the primaries for Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency based on the records available to me,” Mr. Daspan stated. These outcomes reflect the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of party politics as Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections.
Originally sourced from Premium Times. This article has been rewritten for our readers.
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