Tinubu Must Call Abia APC To Order Before They Embarrass Him Further
Political reactions have continued to trail the controversial conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Abia State, with media personality and political commentator, Godwin Asiegbu, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately intervene before the situation causes further damage to the image of the party and the nation’s democracy.
According to Asiegbu, many Abians have watched with disbelief and concern the strange figures and questionable calculations allegedly displayed during the APC primary elections across the state.
He recalled that during the House of Representatives primaries, what many initially dismissed as political comedy quickly became a source of public concern after irregular vote counting patterns emerged. One of the most talked-about incidents, he noted, was the bizarre transition from “100” votes to “1009,” a development that sparked widespread reactions on social media.
While some Nigerians laughed over the incident, others viewed it as a dangerous signal about the credibility of future elections. Asiegbu argued that if alleged manipulation could occur openly within a party’s internal process, citizens naturally fear what could happen during a general election.
He further stated that instead of correcting the irregularities, similar controversies resurfaced during the senatorial, House of Assembly, and governorship primaries in the state, thereby deepening public distrust.
The situation, according to him, became more troubling during the presidential primary exercise reportedly supervised by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. Asiegbu claimed that the exercise was conducted openly while campaign materials bearing the image of President Bola Tinubu were being displayed, creating the impression that the controversial conduct reflected the standard of leadership associated with the ruling party at the national level.
He noted that videos from the exercise have continued to circulate online, attracting criticism and ridicule from Nigerians both within and outside the country. According to him, the development goes beyond embarrassing the Abia APC, as it also risks damaging the public perception of the President and weakening confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system.
Asiegbu therefore called on President Tinubu to publicly distance himself from the incidents and immediately call the Abia APC leadership to order. He warned that silence from the Presidency could easily be interpreted by the public as approval of the alleged irregularities.
“Democracy is not magic, and elections are not movie tricks,” he stated, insisting that electoral figures should remain transparent and credible rather than becoming confusing calculations capable of undermining public trust.
He also expressed concern about the impact such political practices could have on younger Nigerians, especially at a time when many citizens are demanding accountability, transparency, and credible leadership from political actors.
Referencing recent comments by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Asiegbu said the governor had repeatedly maintained that the 2027 elections must reflect the genuine will of the people. He added that Nigerians are becoming increasingly politically conscious and vigilant against any attempt to manipulate democratic processes.
The Labour Party, he said, remains committed to peaceful democratic participation, issue-based campaigns, and the protection of the people’s mandate in future elections.
He concluded by warning that Abians would resist every attempt to undermine democracy through manipulation or political theatrics, stressing that democratic values must always be protected and respected.
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Asiegbu ended his reaction with a strong statement directed at politicians allegedly planning to manipulate the 2027 elections: “If you plan to rig the 2027 election, first write your will.”
