There were widespread complaints and visible frustration across parts of Kaduna State following the alleged failure of officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to provide adequate election materials during the recent House of Representatives primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The situation, which many party members and voters described as a “glaring injustice,” reportedly affected several polling centres, particularly in Igabi Local Government Area, where thousands of party faithful turned out as early as 6:00 a.m. to participate in the exercise.
At LEA Primary School, Manman Jalo Rigachikun polling centre in Igabi Local Government Area, as well as LEA Kawo and Tudun Wada polling centres, voters were said to have waited for several hours without the arrival of electoral materials needed for accreditation and voting.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that many of the voters, including elderly men and women, were forced to sit on bare ground from morning until about 1:20 p.m., hoping the materials would eventually arrive.
Several aggrieved voters who spoke during the exercise expressed disappointment over what they termed a poorly coordinated process and alleged deliberate disenfranchisement of genuine party members.
According to some of the affected voters, despite the massive turnout and peaceful conduct of party supporters, election officials failed to provide ballot papers and other essential materials in many polling centres, thereby preventing eligible members from casting their votes.
“What happened here is unfair and unacceptable. People came out very early with hope and determination to vote for their preferred candidates, but no materials were brought to us,” one of the voters lamented.
Another party member alleged that results were later announced in some affected areas despite the absence of voting materials and without any actual election taking place.
The development has since generated concerns among party supporters and political observers who fear that such irregularities, if not urgently addressed, could undermine confidence in future electoral processes within the state.
Some stakeholders warned that the alleged injustice may not only affect the credibility of the House of Representatives primary election but could also have wider implications for the forthcoming 2027 governorship, presidential and other general elections.
They called on the leadership of the APC in Kaduna State and relevant electoral authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly, ensure accountability, and put measures in place to prevent a recurrence.
Political analysts say transparent and credible party primaries remain critical to strengthening internal democracy and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 elections.
